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A History 



IMeade County 



sas 




Class __Z_i2JW 



\i}^. 



COFYKIGHT DEPOSHV 



A History of 
Meade County, Kansas 



By 

FRANK S. SULLIVAN 



CRANE & COMPANY 

Printers, Binders, Publistiers 

Topeka, Kansas 

1916 



C->pyright, 1916, 

By Frank S. Suli^ivan, 

Meade, Kansas. 



SEP 13 1916 

©GI.A4y8356 



CONTENTS. 

Pago 

I''(»ni:\\()iii) ■ 7 

ACQIISITION IH 

General History IS 

Cities 2() 

Political 44 

Banks 01 

Newspapers 6S 

Chihches 72 

Public Schools 77 

Fraternal Organizations 7S 

lioNDED Indebtedness SI 

Highways and Hkidcjes 84 

AlTOMOBILES 89 

The Coirt Hoise 92 

The Salt Well 96 

Farm Statistics 103 

The Old Calaboose 131 

Bkxjraphical 139 



A History of 
Meade County, Kansas 




FOREWORD. 

N presenting' tliis llistoi'v of Meade (\)uni\' lo 
the public 1 am timidly eoiiscious that it will 
meet the full aj^proval of none. In ihe ])repa- 
ration of this work I have talked with tiv(^ luin.- 
(Ired people, and received five hundred suia:^estions as 
to what the book should contain. Being anxious to 
please, but realizing my inability to carry out the ideas 
of the many Avell-meaning- people and confine the work 
to one volume, I have discarded much that is interest- 
ing, but it has been my intention to include all that is 
important or valuable. 

The personal experience of every old settler wH:)uld be 
interesting reading ; the achievements of those who 
settled upon the frontier in the days "that tried men's 
souls," who battled with the elements, subdued the 
wilderness and made the desert fruitful, is a stor^^ 
w^orthy of the mightiest pen ; the exploits of " Hoodoo" 
Brown, the activities of George DeCow^ the eccentrici- 
ties of Pat Mulligan, the unconscious humor of Pete 
Hotz, the martial dignity of Captain Osgood, and the 
characteristics, freaks and foibles of many others who 
might be mentionetl, would, if properly preserved, af- 
ford a source of never-ending amusement and enter- 
tainment ; but it would not be history. 

The inside history of county politics as the game was 
played in former days, the plans and schemes, the plots 
and counter plots, the maneuvers by which tricks were 



8 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

taken and lost, would read like a story by George Ran- 
dolph Chester, but I could not go into these matters 
without violating the confidence of such eminently 
good fellows as Bob Painter, Doug Adams, Fred Fick, 
Tom Johnston, Frank Fuhr, Mose Black, Fred Judd, 
et al., and the public would certainly not expect me 
to do that. 

The history of Meade County reads almost like a 
fairy tale. Organized in 1885, the country was widely 
advertised and hailed as an El Dorado by people all 
over the East, who flocked here in great numbers, eager 
to secure homes in this modern Eden. Cities and 
towns sprang up as if by magic ; railroads were sur- 
veyed, manufacturing establishments planned for, and 
in a few months the country had the appearance of an 
old-established community. But, alas for the good of 
the country! so many who settled here were not the 
kind to develop a new country. They came mostly 
from the old-settled States of the East, and knew noth- 
ing of the hardships incident to pioneer life. They be- 
came dissatisfied as soon as the novelty of the situation 
wore away, and longed for their Eastern hom«s. To 
get away was no difficult matter ; the entire country 
was enjoying an era of prosperity, money was easy to 
obtain, and many, perhaps a majority of the home- 
steaders preempted their claims, mortgaged them the 
next day for from $500 to $1000, and left the country, 
better off financially than when they came. So many 
farms being deserted, business suffered and laxed for a 
time, depression ensued, and then came the fall, the 
awful, calamitous, tumultuous financial crash that 
buried under its ruins the wrecked hopes and shattered 



FOREWORD. 9 



ambitions of so many. Meade County was not alone 
in this crisis ; the entire West was affected, and great 
was the havoc throughout all. But business adapted 
itself to changed conditions ; business assurance was 
just being restored when occurred the memorable open- 
ing of Oklahoma. All eyes were now turned toward 
"The Land of the Pair (iod," and western Kansas was 
practically forgotten by the outside world. Meade 
County, being in such proximity to the Territory, suf- 
fered her proportionate loss of citizens. Nor was the 
lost population soon regained, as for years practically 
all emigration was toward the "Red Land." 

Being deserted by the farmer, the country was natur- 
ally given over to the cattle-men, who for years held 
full sway, and gathered immense wealth from their herds. 
The thousands of acres of rich, succulent buffalo-grass 
fed thousands of cattle. The usual mild winters and 
light snows made it practicable for cattle to graze the 
entire winter and come out in good condition in the 
spring, having consumed little or no feed save that 
which Nature had so bountifully provided. 

But in time the glitter and glare of Oklahoma van- 
ished to a great extent. Land there, and elsewhere 
eastward, had advanced in value so that a poor man 
could not own his home ; landlords became so exacting 
that tenants could not pay rent and live ; the poor man 
commenced to look for a home, the man with money 
to look for investments. Western Kansas presented 
her smiling prairies to the world and attracted the at- 
tention of homeseekers and of investors. A few of the 
more venturesome came west, and those who visited 
Meade County viewed with wonder the rich soil, were 



10 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY 



delighted with the climatic conditions, enjoyed the 
pure water, breathed the exhilarating, health-giving 
ozone, gazed with rapture on the transcendental beauty 
of the plains, and located here. They were emiaently 
successful in tilling the soil, and accounts of their suc- 
cess written home caused friends to come, who in turn 
induced others to follow. This encroachment on the 
range was ''viewed with alarm" by the cattle-men, who 
did all in their power to discourage immigration by 
circulating stories of the poverty of the soil, the uncer- 
tainty of crops by reason of insufficient rainfall, the 
terrors of tornadoes, and other named and nameless 
evils. But in spite of drouths, tornadoes, and evil re- 
ports, the settlers came on. The large ranches shrank 
away before the increasing tide of immigration, until 
finally "free range" was no more and the ranchman 
was forced to buy his range or go out of business ; and 
finally, recognizing the futility of resistance, or realizing 
that they had been mistaken, the stock-men joined 
with the farmer in boosting the country, and they now 
work harmoniously together. 

It is a singular fact that, in' nearly every instance, 
the man who came to Meade County in the early days 
with money, lost it, while the man who came with noth- 
ing and was either too poor or too obstinate to leave, 
but remained through all thv trials and vicissitudes, 
has amassed a competence. And it is to such men as 
these, such men as Farmer Bisbee, A. V. Angel, Lou 
PaTsons, Ed Dahmer, Joe Brannon, R. T. Worman. 
I^inn Frazier, Frank Sourbeer, and others of their ilk. 
that Meade County owes its present condition of de- 
velopment and prosperity. 



F()I?K\\ OIH). 



11 



Tlu' old ordrr channel li. Wlicre a few years a^'o 
could be seen, like the pa t riaf(drs hci-d. cattle on a thou- 
sand hills, now a])i)eai" lionies and s(dioolhoiises and 
(dmrcdies, and where once tlie seared l)nfTah)-^rass ah^ne 
turned its bronzed bosom to the sky, smiling- liehls of 
waving- wheat llin,^' tiieir banners to the heavens, and 
acres of v^erdant alfalfa ^reet the deli<>hted eye, and 
render o(h)rons, as with sweet incense, the surroundinf^ 

air. 

Frank S. Sullivan. 

Meade, Kansas, Julv. 191G. 



A HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY, 
KANSAS. 



ACQUISITION. 

In the early days of discovery, exploration and settle- 
ment, three European nations, England, France, and 
Spain, claimed the territory out of which Meade 
County was finally carved. Basing its claims upon the 
explorations of the Cabots and others, in 1606 the Eng- 
lish Crown granted to the London Company and to the 
Plymouth Company that vast area of land lying be- 
tween the 34th and 45th parallels of latitude and ex- 
tending from ocean to ocean. The English made no 
attempt to explore the country so far inland, and their 
claims upon this territory were early abandoned. 

The claims of the French were more substantial. 
In 1673 Marquette explored a considerable portion of 
the Mississippi Valley ; his explorations were continued 
and extended by LaSalle in 1682 ; in 1719 Dutisne 
explored a part of the interior, including a portion of 
the territory of the present State of Kansas ; these 
explorations were continued in 1724 by DuBourgmont, 
who also entered and explored a part of Kansas. As 
a result of these various expeditions France claimed 
the territory which now comprises Meade County as 
a part of Louisiana. 

The explorations of Spain were more thorough than 
those of France. In 1528 Narvaez explored a part of 

[13] 



14 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



the Mississippi Valley. Tliese explorations were con- 
tinued by Cabe(,'a de Veea, who had been an officer 
under Narvaez in 1734-36. De Vaca entered Kansas, 
passed entirely across the State from east to west, and 
possibly crossed Meade County. In 1541 Coronado, in 
his search for the fabled Quivira, crossed Meade County, 
possibly on his outbound trip, certainly on his return. 

In 1762 France ceded Louisiana to Spain, but by the 
treaty of ISOO it was re-ceded to France, and by France 
ceded to the United States in 1S03. However, the 
boundaries were not fully determined at that time, and 
in 1819 the United States ceded to Spain that part of 
Louisiana lying west of the 23rd meridian and south 
of the Arkansas river ; so that what is now Meade 
County became an undisputed possession of Spain. 

Upon Mexico gaining her independence from Spain 
in 1821 this territory passed from Spain to Mexico, and 
when in 1836 Texas acquired her independence it lie- 
came a part of Texas. With the annexation of Texas 
in 1845 it became a part of the United States, but owner- 
ship remained in Texas until under the Omnibus Bill 
of 1850 it was ceded by Texas to the Ceneral Govern- 
ment, and became a part of Kansas under the Organic 
Act of 1854. 

The Legislature of 1865 fixed the boundaries of 
Marion County to include the present territory of 
Meade County. In June of the same year Marion 
County was organized and its boundaries changed, ex- 
eluding this territory, which remained unorganized 
and unattached until, in 1873. the Legislature created 
Meade County, named in honor of (Jen. Ceorge C 
Meade, and lixcd its boiiiidai-ics as follows: "Com- 



16 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



mencing at the intersection of the east line of range 
twenty-seven west with the north line of township 
twenty-nine south ; thence south along range line to 
its intersection with the south boundary line of the State 
of Kansas ; thence west along said boundary line of the 
State of Kansas to a point where it is intersected by the 
east line of range thirty-one west ; thence along north 
range line to where it intersects the north boundary 
line of township twenty-nine south ; thence east to 
the place of beginning." 

In 1881 Meade County was attached to Ford County 
for judicial purposes, until Meade County should be 
organized. 

In 1883 the Legislature dissolved Meade County, 
attaching that part lying east of the east line of range 
twenty-nine to Ford County, and that part lying west 
of the east line of range twenty-nine to Seward County- 

The Legislature of 1885 again established Meade 
County, with slightly different i)oundaries, which 
boundaries it has ever since retained, and are as fol- 
lows : "Commencing at the intersection of the east 
line of range twenty-six west with the north line of 
township thirty ; thence south along range line to its 
intersection with the south boundary line of the State 
of Kansas ; thence west along said boundary line of the 
State of Kansas to a point where it is intersected by 
the east line of range thirty-one west ; thence along 
range line to where it intersects the north boundary 
line of townshi]) thirty ; thence east to place of be- 
ginning." 

The same Legislature attached Meade County to 
Coinanche County for judicial purposes, to which 



ACQUISITION. 1 



county it remained attached until the formal org'aniza- 
tion of Meade County. 

In 1SS5 a petition for orji:anization was presented to 
(Jov. John A. Martin. I. N. (Iraves was appointed 
census-taker. His return showed a population of 8.507, 
of whom 1105 were householders. 

Proclamation of organization w^as issued Nov. 4th, 
18So; Meade Center was designated the temporary 
county seat, A. D. McDaniel temporary County Clerk, 
and L. S. Sears, H. L. :\Iullen and E. M. Mears as the 
temporary Board of County Commissioners. The 
election to choose a permanent county seat, and perma- 
nent officers for the first term, was held on Januar^^ 
5 th, 18S0. 

During the campaign the question of the location 
of the county seat overshadowed everything else, and 
much enmity was created, especially between the 
partisans of Meade Center and of Carthage. The vote, 
which chose Meade Center as the permanent county 
seat, was as follows : 

Meade Center. .480 Mertilla 3 

Fowler 231 Pearlette 3 

Carthage 188 Odee 2 

Byers 1 

The election, which was non-partisan, I'esulted in 
choice of the following officers : Representative, R. 
M. Painter; County Commissioners, Chris Schmoker, 
Hugh L. Mullen, J. I). Wick; County Clerk, M. R. 
Peed; Probate Judge, N. K. McCall : Sheriff, T. J. 
McKibben ; Treasurer, W. F. Foster; Clerk of the 
District Court, W. H. Willis; Register of Deeds, C. 
W. Adams; County Superintendent, X. B. Clark; 
County Attorney, Sam Lawrence ; Surveyor, Price 
Moodv ; Coroner, K. E. Buchecker. 



GENERAL HISTORY. 

Long- prior to permanent settlement the territory 
now comprising- Meade County was frequently visited 
by hunters, traders and adventurers. Prominent among 
these was Jedediah Strong Smith, a great-uncle of our 
esteemed fellow-citizen E. D. Smith, who visited this 
territory as early as the year 1818. Just who the first 
permanent settler was, and the date of settlement, are 
matters of much conjecture, but it is generally conceded 
that the first permanent settlement was at Meade City, 
about twelve miles north of the present town of Meade, 
and was in the year 1878. In 1879 a colony consisting 
of sixteen families from Zanesville, Ohio, settled at 
Pearlette. The original Pearlette was near the site 
of the town afterwards surveyed and platted, but not 
the identical location. John Jobling was president of 
the company responsible for this settlement, and his 
son, William Jobling, still a resident of Meade County, 
is perhaps the "oldest citizen," considered from a 
standpoint of continuous residence. Andor Eliason, 
who resided in this county up to the time of his death 
about two years ago, settled in 1879, as did also Frank 
Sourbeer, who is at present an efficient magistrate of 
Meade Center Township. Perhaps the oldest unaltered 
building in the county is one now on the farm of Frank 
Marrs, built by Mr. Sourbeer. 

The first newspaper published in Meade County 
was the Pearlette Call, the first number being issued in 
April, 1S79, by Addison Bennett. 

Iisi 




a: 




20 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



The early settlers endured all the hardships incident 
to pioneer life. For years all provisions were freighted 
from Dodge City, then a notorious "border town." 

The railroad penetrated Meade County in the year 
1887, which gave business a new impetus and practically 
abolished the "freighter." 

The early settlers were buoyant with hope, and were 
quick to indorse and accept any plan calculated to 
develop the country's resources, and for this reason 
were rendered an easy prey to designing schemers with 
"blue sky" to sell. A scheme that appealed strongly 
was a proposition to establish sugar mills for the manu- 
facture of cane sugar. Great encouragement was 
given these enterprises, township bonds were voted and 
issued in their aid, and at least two mills — one at Meade, 
the other at West Plains — were built. The one at 
Plains never attempted to operate, Init the one at 
Meade encouraged and induced the farmers to plant 
large acreages of cane, and contracted for the cane at 
fair prices. Rut. unfortunately, while the cane grew 
and thrived, sugar could not be ])roduced from it, or 
at least it could not be produced iti sufficient volume, 
to make the enterprise a success financially, and so 
the sugar-mill went the usual way of wildcat schemes. 
Underhand methods and fraud were alleged, graft and 
corru])ti()n wer(» ()i)e]dy charged, but it was never proved 
that anyone ever made any money, honestly or dis- 
honestly, out of the sugar-mill venture. 

In the late 8()'s and early 9()'s, the country at that 
time being largely devoted to stock-raising, the county 
was sorely infested with cattle thieves more or less or- 
ganized, and th(^ aggregate losses to the legitimate 



(;km<:i?,a i> iiisroKv. 21 

stock-growers from these depredations were enormous. 
The good citizens organized to tight the evil, many 
prosecutions were commenced althougli few convictions 
were seciii'cd, but tlie activity of the organization and 
of the prosecuting otficers eventually con\inced the 
law-breakers that Aleade County was an unprofitable 
locality in which to pursue their nefarious vocation ; 
the bands were broken up, some of the members re- 
formed and (juit stealing cattle, and others "stole 
away," so that for many, many years the owner of 
cattle has been able to sleep in peace, secure in the 
knowledge that his herds were safe. 

During the decade from 1890 to 19()() the selling price 
of real estate in Meade County was nil: there was 
absolutely no demand for land ; a good ([uarter-sec- 
tion of land could be bought for one hundred dollars, 
for fifty dollars, for twenty-five dollars, for any price 
one cared to offer, but there were practically no offers. 
The population decreased until but few more than a 
thousand souls found refuge within the bounds of the 
county. Most of the land was owned by the (lovern- 
ment or by non-residents ; few of these non-residents 
considered the land of sufficient value to warrant them 
in paying taxes, and they paid no tax. But finally 
the cattle industry had grown to such an extent that 
jealousy over the range sprang up, and in order to 
control certain range some enterprising stock-man 
would buy a quarter or two of land. Thus some slight 
market for real estate was created, but the price paid was 
usually from $50 to $100 per quarter-section. About 
the year 1900 a few adventurous persons, investors, 
"speculators" as they were called, commenced buying 



22 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

land at the ridiculously low prices mentioned. Other 
investors followed, land gradually advanced in price 
to a dollar an acre, then came the real-estate agent, 
who assisted the speculator in disposing- of his invest- 
ments and in boosting the price, the price advanced to 
a dollar and a quarter, to two dollars an acre, and then 
came the actual settler. The Government land was 
homesteaded, the land was cultivated, the results were 
profitable, land continued to advance, until today the 
price of wheat land ranges from $15 to $40 per acre, 
and very little unimproved land can be bought at the 
lower price. 

On August 5th, 18S7, B. ¥. Cox, while drilling a well 
on the northeast quarter of Section 5, Township 31, 
Range 27. struck a flow of artesian water at a depth of 
142 feet. These flowing wells were not considered of 
much value as a commercial proposition at that time, 
but the land underlaid by artesian water has since at- 
tained a commercial value of anywhere from $50 to $150 
per acre, and the beginning of the end is not yet in sight ; 
the possibilities of this particular portion of the- county 
have not been appreciated. There is probably no 
more fertile, productive, desirable location in the whole 
world than the famous Artesian Valley of Meade 
County. Here Nature puts forth her noblest efforts 
to please, and the results are all that the most exacting 
could desire. (Jiven the most fertile soil that Nature 
has provided, the most delightful climate that mankind 
enjoys, and Nature's most precious bestowal, pure 
water (more than 98 per cent pure by chemical analy- 
sis), cool and sparkling, boiling uj) from the earth's 
l)ui'(' Fountains, with a strong continual (low. no wind- 



CO 



f f 



24 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

mills to keep in repair, no gasoline engines to maintain, 
no creaking windlass, no moss-grown, microbe-covered 
bucket, no drouth to fear, no floods to destroy, — what 
more could a farmer desire? No one can go through 
this valley, so wonderfully endowed with Nature's 
blessings, without a desire to call a part of it his own. 
The orange groves of California, the apple orchards of 
Oregon, the pine woods of IMaine, the magnolia blos- 
soms of Dixie Land, may appeal to some, but give to 
me a spot 'neath Heaven's canopy that puts to shame 
the skies of Italy, where I can see the sunflowers grow- 
ing by the roadside, with their golden faces turned to- 
ward their God, and catch the fragrance of alfalfa blos- 
soms on every zephyr that floats o'er the Artesian 
Valley, and you may have all the world beside. 

Deposits of iron ore and of peat have been discovered ; 
salt is found in more or less abundance, and was at one 
time manufactured by evaporation, but owing to lack 
of transportation facilities at that time the enterprise 
proved unprohtable and was abandoned. Immense 
deposits of silica exist, which is just commencing to 
be of commercial importance. 

Ira McSherry, from his farm about three miles south 
of Meade, is now filling a contract with James H. 
Rhodes & Co.. Chicago, manufacturers of industrial 
chemicals, whereby he furnishes them a stated quan- 
tity of silica per year for five years. The price real- 
ized by Mr. McSherry is $2 per ton, delivered at Meade. 

The Cudahy Packing Co. own large deposits of this 
mineral, and in the year 1915 built a raih-oad from their 
mines a few miles north of Meade, connecting with the 



GENERAL HISTORY. 25 



C. li. I. & P. at Fowior, for the purpose of traiis])ort- 
ing the product of these mines. 

Tlie Puck Soap Company own silica beds just west 
of Meade, aud oth(>i' de])osits are found in various ])arts 
of the county. 

A great deal has been w^ritten, and more told, concern- 
ing' the Indian tight whicdi occurred on Sand ('reek, in 
Meade County, but it is of little importance in history. 
In September and October of 1878 a band of about two 
hundred Northern Cheyennes left their reservation 
near Fort Reno and started north, crossing Meade 
County, and in fact crossed the entire State of Kansas. 
An all-day's fight took place in the southeast part of 
the county between these Indians and 140 soldiers, the 
latter being assisted by about 60 civilians, mostly cow- 
boys. One or tw^o of the whites were slightly wounded, 
and while the damage to the Indians is not definitely 
known, the loss was small. 



CITIES. 

Soon after the settlement of the county commenced, 
and prior to its organization, cities and towns sprang 
up as if by magic, although many of them existed onlj^ 
on paper and in the promoter's vision. Various town- 
site companies were organized and incorporated. The 
first of these was The Meade Center Townsite Com- 
pany, incorporated May 25th, 1885, with E. M. Mears. 
C. G. Allen, Henry H. Rogers, Alex. Bailey, I. N. 
Graves, James A. Morris, and A. D. McDaniel, direct- 
ors. 

The Belle Meade Town Company followed, incorpo- 
rating June 6th, 1885, with J. M. Brannon, Robt. P. 
Cooper. John Schmoker, James H. Elmore, and H. 
Chaney, directors. 

The next to incorporate was the Spring Lake Town 
Company, receiving its charter July 6th, 1885. The 
directors of this company were D. G. Stratton, L. K. 
Melntyre, J. C. Marts, J. F. Shore, O. Norman, J. 
W. Hotz, Frank Sourbeer, Geo. W. Winder, Al Wirt, 
Geo. B. Allen, and N. B. Clark. 

Then followed the Meade Center Town Association, 
incorporating July 10th, 1885, with W. P. Hackney, 
W. S. Mendenhall, R. L. Walker, F. E. Gillett and Ledru 
Guthrie as directors, none of whom were residents of 
Meade County. 

The Meade County Town Company incorporated 
next, and on Aug. 22nd, 1885, with John Werth, L. 

|2(J| 



28 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

R. Ostrander, Thomas H. Campbell, John Schmoker, 
and John B. Innis, directors. 

After this came the Atwater Townsite Company, in- 
corporated Oct. 18th, 1887, with James E. McCall, 
John J. Mohler, John I. Jones, Wm. B. Long, H. L. 
Markley, John E. Maxwell, and Lewis Maston, di- 
rectors. 

The Denver, New Orleans and Rock Island Town 
Company, incorporated Dec. 7th, 1887, with John 
Werth, John W. Taylor, N. B. Potter, A. McNulty, 
and T. McNulty, directors. 

The Massachusetts Town Site Company, incorpo- 
rated Jan. 6th, 1888, with P>ank R. Gammon, B. B. 
Brown, Willis (J. Emerson, Geo. L. Stevens, and Hugo 
Lundborg, directors. 

The Title Land and Town Lot Company, incorpo- 
rated Jan. 30th, 1888, with A. H. Heber, Willis G. 
Emerson, Geo. L. Stevens, Edward Doll, B. B. Brown. 
D. W. Higbee, and Selah A. Hull, directors. 

First Oklahoma Town Company was incorporated 
April 13th, 1889, with A. H. Heber, W. F. Schell, M. 
W. Sutton, Willis G. Emerson, G. W. McMillen, L. E. 
Steele, Geo. Theis, Jr., H. B. Stone, and E. M. Mears, 
directors. 

The West Plains Townsite Company was incorpo- 
rated Dec. 2nd, 1884, with Charles W. Mosher, Ed- 
ward M. Mears, William Leighton, William Randall, 
and Morris T. Roberts, directors. 

Besides these incorporated companies there were 
several copartnerships and numerous individuals in- 
terested ill promoting towns and townsites. 

On Julv 9th. ISSf), the Meade Center Townsite Com- 



CITIES. 29 

pany purchased I'l-om tlio United Slates (lovernment 
the south lialf of the southwest (luarter of Section 2, 
the south half of th(> not tlieast (}uarter of Section 10, the 
west lialf and tln^ noi'thwest (luarter of Section 11, all in 
Township 32, Ran^e 2S, containini^' 520 acres, for SGoO, 
and surveyed and platted a portion of the same. On 
Oct. 21st, 1885, an order for the incorporation of the 
city of Meade Center was issued by Hon. James A. 
Ray, Judse of the District Court of Comanche County, 
to which Meade County was at that time attached for 
judicial purposes. The organization was completed 
on Nov. 3rd, 1885, and at the same time the following- 
officers were elected: Mayor, Peter E. Hart; Police 
Judge. William C. Osgood ; Councilmen, Nelson But- 
ton, Vj. a. Twist, (Jeorge M. Roberts, David Truax, 
and Wm. H. Stewart. The organization of Meade 
Center, and the election of the first officers, were legal- 
ized by act of the Legislature of 1886, and the name 
was changed to Aleade by act of Legislature of 1889. 

On M?rch 24th. 1886, the Townsite Company quit- 
claimed the land theretofore purchased to the United 
States, and it was conveyed l^y the Government to 
Peter E. Hait, Mayor, in trust for occupants, on April 
2nd, 188o. On March 31st, 1886, the official plat of 
the original survey. Block "A," First and Second Addi- 
tions, and out-lots Nos. 1 and 2, was filed. Several 
additions were afterwards surveyed and platted. 

Meade has always been the county seat, and has 
always grown apace with the country in general. At 
the present time it has two banks, two new^spapers, 
three elevators, good telephone and electric-light ser- 
vice, one of the best svstems of waterworks in the State, 



30 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

and all lines of general business, as well as the profes- 
sions, are ably represented. 

The 1916 census gave Meade a population of 886. 

The town of Touzalin was promoted by the Meade 
Center Town Association. It was located on the 
northwest quarter of Section 35, Township 32, Range 
28, and was surveyed in iVugust and vSeptember of 1884. 
The first building was erected in March, 1885. It en- 
joyed a slight boom for a time, supported, or " sported," 
three stores, a hotel, livery barn, blacksmith shop, etc. ; 
but within three years after the first building was 
erected there remained nothing to mark the spot where 
the hoped-for city once stood. One handicap under 
which the promoters worked was the difficulty in se- 
curing water on the townsite. The buildings were 
moved away, and one of them was the building occu- 
pied by The First National Bank of Meade until it 
was torn down to make room for the present bank 
building. 

The Mertilla Town Company, Joseph E. Sherrill, 
President, Henry C. Shuey, Secretary, was a copartner- 
ship. They filed the original plat of Mertilla No^ • 
6, 1886, which included about fifty acres, described as 
follows: "Beginning at a ])oint 730 feet east of the 
southwest corner of the northeast quarter of Section 
:^(), Township 30, Range 29 ; thence north 730 feet ; 
thence west 1460 feet; thence south 1460 feet; thence 
east 1460 feet ; thence north 730 feet, to place of be- 
ginning." Two additions were platted later. 

Mertilla early became a town of considerable ])i'()m- 
ise. "Red" Jim High was proprietor of tlu^ first store. 
In addition to this there were two other stores, a hotel. 



32 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



livery barn, blacksmith shop, drug store, etc. Dr. 
Ostrander originally owned a drug store in Carthage. 
After Meade Center had been selected as the county 
seat the evacuation of Carthage commenced, and Dr. 
Ostrander moved his drug store, building and all, to 
Mertilla. 

In the latter part of 1SS7 Mertilla commenced to go 
the way of Carthage and other defunct towns ; most 
of the buildings were moved away, and in another year 
or two there was practically nothing remaining to mark 
the townsite, save the schoolhouse, which afterwards 
burned down. The drug-store building was moved to 
the farm of J. N. Stamper, and at the present time the 
schoolhouse in the Boyer district is the old drug store 
of Carthage and Mertilla, somewhat remodeled. The 
barn now on the Rexford farm, in Mertilla township, 
was built of lumber from the old Mertilla hotel. The 
townsite of Mertilla was vacated by act of the Legis- 
lature of 1898. 

On May 17th, 1888, the Kansas Town and Land 
Company, owner of 51 per cent, and George W. Ragon, 
owner of 49 per cent, filed the plat of Jasper, which in- 
cluded all that part of the east half of the southwest 
quarter of Section 26, Township 31, Range 29, that lies 
north of the right-of-way of the C. K. & N. Railway 
(now the right-of-way of the C. R. L & P.). This 
town, being on the railroad, was never absolutely de- 
serted, but has never attained any great proportions. 
In 1909 Fullington & Marrs, a real-estate firm of Meade, 
made some slight attempt to promote this town. A 
new site was surveyed, near the old site, but was a 
part of flic southwest quarter of Section 2o. and the 



CITIES. 33 

town was called Jasper, the name l)eing afterwards 
changed to Collingwood, and still later to Missler. 

Greensward was surveyed, and the ])lat filed Aug. 
21st, 1886, by Basil O' Donald and W. H. Rubottom. 
This townsite consisted of sixteen blocks, covering an 
area 1460 feet by 1470 feet, partly on the southeast 
quarter and partly on the southwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 12. Township 34, Range 27. A few lots were sold, 
but that is as far along as the promoters ever got with 
this town. In 1899 the Legislature vacated the town- 
site. 

Xirwana City was dedicated by X. K. McCall, Pro- 
bate Judge, under an act of Congress, it being located 
on Government land, occupying a part of Sections 2 
and 3, Township 35, Range 29. Plat was filed X'^ov. 
22nd, 1886, and showed twelve blocks, each 300 feet 
square. Block X'^o. 12 being set aside for a public park. 
This site was afterwards re-surveyed and some slight 
changes made. Xirwana never made any substantial 
growth, but had at one time two stores, a blacksmith 
shop, and a feed barn. 

Just prior to the beginning of Xirwana City, J. M. 
Byers started a store and blacksmith shop on his farm 
near Xirwana. calling the embryo town in honor of 
himself, Byers. Another little store followed, but after 
Xirwana was laid out Byers moved his store, shop and 
town over to the " City." and the town of Byers was no 
more. The first Democratic primary held in Odee 
Township met in the blacksmith shop at Byers, and 
elected delegates to the county convention. 

Odee, while never surveyed or platted, was the name 
given a store down in Odee township by the sole pro- 



34 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

prietor, ''Little" Pratt. Pratt sold out and his suc- 
cessor died, which destroyed any chance Odee may have 
had of becoming- a metropolis. A postoffice by that 
name was conducted in that neighborhood until a few 
years ago. Odee was named in honor of O. D. Lemert, 
who was credited with securing the establishment of the 
postoffice. 

Fowler City was surveyed, platted and dedicated by 
George Fowler, owner of the land, which was a part of 
the northwest quaTter of Section 6, Township 31, 
Range 26 ; plat tiled May 1st, 1886. Various additions 
have since been made to this town. Fowler City was 
duly organized and incorporated, and liourished for a 
time, but finally, as the country gradually depopulated, 
it became dormant, and so remained for many years 
without city government, but it was never abandoned, 
and was always a good trading point. In April, 1908. 
it was reorganized and municipal government again 
established under act of the Legislature of 1907. At 
that time Fowler had a population of 345. The reor- 
ganization proved a good thing for the town and com- 
munity, and Fowler has grown and prospered ever since. 
At present it has two banks, three elevators, a news- 
paper, a modern hotel, municipally owned light and 
water plant, and all general lines of business are well 
represented. The 1916 census gave Fowler a popu- 
lation of 503. 

The West Plains Townsite Company purchased Sec- 
tion 16, Township 32, Range 30, from the State, and 
proceeded to lay out the city of West Plains. The 
original plat was filed Jan. 17th, 1885, but an amended 
])lat was hied May 18th, 188(). This was the oi-iginal 




m 



i '--i 



1 







36 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

survey, and included an area of 2250 feet square, taken 
out of the center of the section. Later a plat of the 
first addition was filed, which included all the remainder 
of Section 16. 

West Plains was originally incorporated on April 
26th, 1888, and, like Fowler City, prospered and lan- 
guished, then became dormant for many years, resum- 
ing municipal government. 

Again, like Fowler, West Plains was never entirely 
depopulated, and while for years the number of families 
residing within its limits could be counted upon one's 
fingers, it always remained a good trading point, its 
one store. Parsons, supplying the wants of farmers and 
ranchmen for as great a distance as forty miles. 

In 1902 Plains, as it is commonly called, commenced 
to grow, and has enjoyed a steady development ever 
since. Quite recently an election was called for the 
purpose of voting bonds for a municipal light and water 
plant, which proposition carried without one dissent- 
ing vote. 

Besides a large number of smaller business enter- 
prises, Plains has three large general stores, a bank, two 
hotels, an efficient telephone system, good schools, 
Methodist, Baptist and Roman Catholic Church, three 
elevators, one of which is the largest in the county, 
and claims the distinction of shipping more wheat than 
any other town in Kansas. The 1916 census gave 
Plains a population of 477. 

Atwater comprised the southeast forty acres of Sec- 
tion 34, Township 33, Range 29. The plat was filed 
Nov. 9th, 18S7. It had a general store, blacksmith 
shop. i)ublic hall, etc. It was quite a social center, the 



CITIES. 37 

principal social activity of those days bein^ confined 
to dances at the hall, at which dances Hill Lonji: usually 
furnished the music and Fred Judd did the calling ; 
the proceeds, after paying the rent, being- divided be- 
tween Long and Judd in the ratio of 2 to 1 . A post- 
office bearing the original name was maintained in the 
neighborhood of the old town until a few years ago. 
The townsite was vacated by the Legislature of 1899. 

Rainbelt, unplatted, was located about two miles 
northwest of the present site of Missler, and was quite 
a little trading point for a time. 

Artesian comprised about forty acres in the south- 
east corner of the southwest quarter of Section 6, Town- 
ship 31, Range 27. The plat was filed by F. M. Davis 
Dec. 27th, 1887. Artesian acquired two stores, a hotel, 
real-estate office of the promoter, and a postoffice, al- 
though the postoffice was acquired by the absorption 
of another town. In 1885 the town of Springlake was 
commenced in the vicinity of where Artesian was laid 
out two years later. A postoffice was established at 
Springlake which was afterwards moved to Artesian, 
but the name of the postoffice was unchanged. The 
Missouri Pacific Railway Company had proposed to 
build a railroad across the northern part of Meade 
County, and the town of Artesian was on the proposed 
route. However, the railroad failed to come, and the 
town went. This townsite was vacated by the Legis- 
lature in 1893. 

Pearlette occupied an area 1460 feet square in the 
northeast quarter of Section 27, Township 30, Range 
27. Plat was filed June 1st, 1886, by John Jobling, 
Jr., and Robert Wright. The original Pearlette came 



38 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

into existence and a postoffice was established in 1879, 
but it was not surveyed or platted until 1886, and the 
site as platted was nearly a mile from the original loca- 
tion. Originally the Joblings conducted a store, and 
the postoffice ; Addison Bennett published a news- 
paper. The Pearlette Call, for a time, commencing in 
1879, but as the newspaper Inisiness was not then a 
profitable one in Meade County the Call was short- 
lived. The town showed soine evidence of prosperity, 
but finally disappeared, some of the buildings being 
moved to other towns. 

Carthage was established by the Carthage Town 
Company on the east half of Section 31, Township 31, 
Range 28, about the time that Meade Center came into 
existence. It exhibited great signs of prosperity for 
a while, attaining a population of something like three 
hundred or four hundred, and was a very aggressive 
candidate for the location of the county seat. As soon 
as this question was settled adversely to the interest 
of this town, it disintegrated with great rapidity ; many 
of the buildings were moved to Meade, some to other 
towns, some to farms, and soon there was nothing left 
of Carthage but a regretful memory. 

Helvetia was the name given an embryo town located 
on Section 2, Township 30, Range 30. This town was 
the creation of Abe Sorter, who conducted a little store 
in conjunction with the postoffice. A blacksmith shop 
was also established there, but the town failed to 
"boom," and ceased to exist in 1888. 

Belle Meade originated in the fertile brain of John 
Werth, and its original location was on his timber 
claim, the northwest quarter of Section 8, Township 31, 




L,^, 



40 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

Range 27. A postoffice was secured, with one, Milli- 
gan, as postmaster, who also conducted a little store in 
connection. Afterwards Chris Schmoker secured the 
postoffice and moved Belle Meade to his farm, and still 
later the city was moved to the farm of John Schmoker, 
on the southwest quarter of Section 20, Township 31, 
Range 27. Here it grew some, acquiring two stores 
and a hotel. The building used as a hotel is now the 
dwelling on the farm of J. M. Wood, near Meade. 
Belle Meade was originated late in 1879, or possibly 
early in 1S80. 

Skidmore was the name given to a little store estab- 
lished on the homestead of Miss Skidmore. in Section 
8, Township 31, Range 28. However, the town found 
"poor skidding," and failed to prosper. 

Roanoke was the name of another brain-storm, lo- 
cated on land now owned by John Wehrle, in the Val- 
ley. It made no further progress than to secure a 
name. 

Another vision in the vicinity of the Eliason farm was 
called Artois, but, like Roanoke, it existed only in the 
imagination of its promoter. 

The first town with which Meade County was threat- 
ened was located on Section 16, Township 31, Range 
28. "Cap." French was a surveyor and locator; in 
the summer of 1878 he located two parties on this sec- 
tion, and in conjunction with them he formed the plan 
of establishing a city at that place, to be called Meade 
City. A little store was put up, a few other buildings 
were erected from time to time, a postoffice was secured, 
but the town failed to grow to any appreciable extent, 
and was abandoned about 1884. 



CITIES. 41 

A well-authenticated story is told concerninj? an ad- 
venture of Cap. French during the Indian raid in the 
fall of 1878. A hand of Indians came to Meade City, 
and, noticing: a j^'rindstone, they compelled French to 
turn it while they sharpened their knives. It was an 
unpleasant task for him, as he fully expected that when 
the knives were all sharpened some Indian would test 
the edge of his instrument on his scalp. However, he 
was agreeably surprised when they departed without 
molesting him further. A short distance away, how- 
ever, they killed a freighter and took possession of his 
outfit. 

Another story in connection with this Indian raid 
is, that at a ranch house, either in Meade or Clark 
County, a large quantity of dried apples was secured, 
of which the Indians ate greedily without subjecting 
the fruit to the process of cooking. They proceeded 
on their way toward Meade City, but before reaching 
that point one of the squaws, having drunk profusely, 
discovered that dried apples and artesian water do not 
constitute a proper combination, and died in great 
agony. She was buried in a small ravine, the body 
being placed in a ditch washed out by drainage-water 
and covered loosely with earth. The body was soon 
exposed, and about a year afterwards it was found by 
Oliver Norman. The bones were not intact, and Mr. 
Norman secured the skull, desiring it as a specimen of 
Indian anatomy. As portions of the skin still ad- 
hered to the bones he hung the skull in a tree for 
further "curing." While it yet remained in this tree 
some eastern tourists observed it, and reported to the 
eastern press the discovery of a strange tribe of savages 



42 HISTORY OP' MEADE COUNTY. 

who disposed of their dead by depositing the bodies 
in the branches of trees. 

Meade City was succeeded by Jo-Ash, located about 
a half-mile to the west. Jo-Ash acquired two stores, 
a postoffice. and was a rej^'ular mail route on a regular 
stage line. After two or three years it passed into 
memory. 

Red Bluff and ( 'armen were once postoffices. Miles 
was a little store and postoifice conducted for many 
years by Captain and Mrs. Busing, on the south side 
of the Cimarron. The postoffice of Lakeland was in 
the Painter family through several administrations, and 
is now on the Hulburt ranch, Zada-Black Hulburt, 
P. M., while S. E. Matthews, the founder, still conducts 
the store and handles the mail at Uneda. 



POLITICAL. 

While the political complexion of Meade County 
has always been strong Republican, with the exception 
of a brief period of time during the days of Populism, 
in local affairs the people have generally exercised their 
best judgment and voted without regard to party lines, 
considering the general fitness of the candidate as of 
more importance than his party affiliations. As a re- 
sult there has never been a time when all of the county 
officers were of the same political faith, and the public 
has been unusually fortunate in securing capable officers. 

In the tables which follow, the name appearing first 
is the one elected to the designated office, and the names 
following are the unsuccessful candidates. The party 
affiliation is indicated by the abbreviation following 
each name, and the year of election by the figures pre- 
ceding each list. 

1886. 

Keprcscntative M. J. O'Moara, D. 

R. M. Painter, R. 
Probate Jiulse W. D. Hudson, R. 

O. J. Loofhourrow, D. 
Clerk District Court Fillmore Hudson, R. 

W. H. Willis, D. 
County Clerk W. H. Young, R. 

Matt B. Peed, D. 
Sheriff George F. Eckert, R. 

Thomas G. MeAuliffe, D. 
Treasurer C. S. Rockey, R. 

J. W. Taylor, D. 

1441 



POLITICAL. 45 

R(>«list(M- of D(>ods C. W. Adams, K. 

J. W. Jamison, D. 
Svii)(M-iii((>ii(l('nt N. H. JMciulcnliall, l^ 

N. B. ("lark, D. 
County Attornoy S. K. House, H* 

A. F. Hollcnlu'ck, I). 
Sui'vovoi- Moses l^lack, R. 

J. A. Dupre(N D. 
("oroncr H. Chancy, H. 

E. E. Buchecker, D. 
Commissioner 1st District J. H. Randolph, R. 

James Vaughn, D. 
Commissioner 2nd District Chris. Schmoker, R. 

Ed. McDaniel, D. 
( Commissioner .3rd District E. M. Mears, R. 

F. J. Beckwith, D. 

1887. 
Sheriff George F. Eckert, R. 

E. B. Summers, D. 
Treasurer C. S. Rockey, R. 

E. T. Hughes, D. 
Register of Deeds Jesse Summers, R. 

Wm. McKim, D. 
County Clerk L. E. Brown, R. 

T. C. Bonham, D. 
Surveyor K. P. Smith, R. 

John Werth, D. 
Connnissionei' 1st District J. H. Randolph, R. 

D. K. Griffin, D. 
Coronei- I. N. (iraves, R, 

Benjamin F. Cox, D. 

1888. 

Representative A. H. Hebei-, R. 

Robert E. Steele, D. 

H. F. Caldwell, Union Labor. 

* In September. ISSS, Mr. House resigned, and H. W. Clrisss was app(iiMte<l \u fill th" un- 
expired term. 



46 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Pio]):it(> .Tudo<' W. D. Hudson, R. 

E. T. F. Thomp.son, D. 

C. F. ( ahoon, U. L. 
C'lctk Disti'ict Court D. B. Stutsman, D. 

K. 13. Hussell, H. 

(\ T. White, U. L. 
County Attorney R. W. Origgs, R. 

AL L. Broun, D. 

J. M. Holeoml), U. L. 
Superintendent N. H. Mendenliall, 1{. 

James B. High, 1). 

Maiy Dalgarn, U. L. 
r\)ron(4- Wilham Lake, R. 

(). J. Loofliourrow, 1). 
Commissionei- 2nd Distriet E. D. Smith, R. 

D. Barragree, D. 
R. P. Cooper, U. L. 

1889. 
Sui'veyor .lolm ( 1. Ftjnda, R. 

John Werth, D. 
County Clei'k L. E. Brown, R. 

J. R. Craves, D. 
( 'ofoner William Lake, R. 

Dennis Callaghan, D. 
Commissioner ."^rd Distriet C. M. Plymell, D.* 

John H. Ellis, R. 

M. H. Howard. 

1890. 

Representative V. 11. Heber, Ind. 

S. M. Bennett, Peo. 
Jtunes Wilson, R. 

* C. M. Plymell at the time of his election was City Clerk of the city of West Plains, whicli 
office ho continued to hold after he had qualified as County Commissioner. On April 29th, 
1890, L. B. KolloKK, Attorney-General, conimencofl proceedings in f/(io ivarrnnto .against Ply- 
mell in the Supreme Court. The oinnion, filed in May, 1.S91, ousted Plymell from the office 
of Commissioner, for the reason that I lie law forbids a ('oUMt\- C^nmniissioner from liolding anj 
other office. The other two members of the lioanl, with the County Clerk, elected W. F. New- 
house to fill the vacancy, Mr. .\ewhouse receiviiif; two votes and K. .1. Craves one vote. 



48 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

Pr()l)at(' Judge W. D. Hudson, R. 

H. F. Caldwell, Peo. 
County Attorney Geo. S. Selvidge, Peo. 

R. W. Griggs, R. 
Clerk District Couit D. B. Stutsman, Peo. 

Minor Weightman, R. 
Superintendent Mollie Dalgarn, Peo. 

Carrie B. Camiil)ell, R. 
Commissioner 1st District William Beaty, Peo. 

Gamaliel Rogers, Peo. 
Coroner C. P. Fletcher, R. 

1891. 
Treasui'er Len FoUick, R. 

R. L. Sawyer, Peo. 
County Clerk J. F. Armstrong, R. 

U. G. Park, Peo. 
Register of Deeds Moses Black, R. 

J. E. McCall, Peo. 
Sheriff A. J. Byrns, R. 

Geo. B. Allen, Peo. 
Surveyor John Werth, Peo. 

J. H. Ellis, R. 
Coroner C. Button, R. 

J. M. Riney. Peo. 
Commissioner 2n(l Distiict Frank Lohr, R. 

E. P. Boyle, Peo. 
Commission(>r 3rd District H. E. Hayden, Peo. 

J. N. Stamper, R. 

1892. 
Repr(>sentative James Wilson, Peo. 

R. M. Painter, R. 
Probate Judge Andrew Graham, R. 

D. H. Bryant, Peo. 
( "lerk District Court F. W\ Fick, R. 

N. R. Bishop, Peo. 
Superintendent D. P. Wysong, R. 

J. A. Porterfield, Peo. 



POLITICAL. 49 

County Attorney A. T. liodlc .If.. 1\. 

( ico. S. ScKidiic Pco. 
( 'oron(>i- V. Kcsslcr, H. (to fill \-:icancy). 

G. W. Unil);ii'<i;('r, Pco. 
( 'oniniissionci- ;{r(l I)istri(t H. E. Harden, I'co. 

Hliees Siu,i;l('\', K. 

IS!);-!.* 

( 'ounty ( 'Icrk .). F. Aruist ronji;, 1{. 

.J. K. Graves, D. 
Register of Deeds Belle M. Peed, D. 

B. F. Stivers, R. 
Shei-iff S. D. Adams, D. 

Richard Buis, l^ 
Trcasurei- Geo. W. Wiley, R. 

J. C. McLean, D. 

E. J. Graves, Peo. 
Surveyor John Werth, D. 

.1. H. EUis, R. 

Coroner A. Kessler, R. 

Commissioner 1st District William Beaty, 13. 

.John B. Innis, R. 

1894. 

R(^pr(>sentative R. M. Painter, R. 

S. N. Butts, People's Party. 

Clerk District Court F. W. Fiek, R. 

H. G. Marsliall. P. P. 
Prol)ate .Judge Andrew Graliani, R. 

X. B. Sawyer, P. P. 
County Attorney F. M. Davis, P. P. 

A. T. Bodle, .Jr., R. 

Superintendent Jennie Kessler, R. 

Commissioner 2n(l Disti'ict B. H. Cordes, P. P. 

Benjamin White, R. 

* There were three tickets — Republican, Democratic, and People'.s Party. The same 
candidates were nominated by the Democrats and the People's Party in 1895, and the same in 
1894 except that the People's Party had a different candidate for County Treasurer. 



50 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

1895.* 

Treasurer Geo. W. Wiley, R. 

F. O. Hamilton, D. 
County Clerk •. E. F. Rieman, R. 

J. F. Armstrong, D. 
Register of Deeds Belle M. Peed, D. 

Carrie B. Campbell, R. 
Sheriff S. D. Adams, D. 

Geo. W. Potter, R. 
Surveyor John Werth, R. 

Oliver Norman, D. 

Coroner C. Button, D. 

Commissioner 3rd District H. E. Hayden, D. 

E. N. Sliarp. R. 

1896.* 

Re]ii-esontative John Wehrle, D. 

R. M. Painter, R. 
Probate Judge Andrew Graham, R. 

X. B. Sawyer, D. 
Cleik District Court Effie Coon, R. 

Etna Dalgarn, D. 
County Attorney A. T. Bodle, Sr., R. 

Geo. B. Allen, D. 

Superintendent Jennie Kessler, R. 

Commissioner 1st Disti'ict John B. Innis, R. 

Jacob Heape, D. 

1897.* 
County Clerk E. F. Rieman, R. 

S. D. Adams, D. 
Treasui-ei- Geo. B. Cones, R. 

D. B. Stutsman. D. 
Sheiiff F. C. Judd, D. 

A. J. Byrns, R. 
Registei' of Deeds Nettie Bonham, R. 

Belle M. Peed, D. 

* There were three tickets in the field — -Republican, Deniocratie, and Populist, but the 
nominee-) of the Deniocratie and I'ojjidist Parties were the same. 



52 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Surveyor Moses Black, K. 

Oliver Norman, D. 
Coroner Ed. Otto, R. 

Theodore Wolfley, D. 
Comniissioner 2nd District John F. Conrad, D. 

R. W. Campbell, R. 

1898.* 
Representative (leo. W. Wiley, R. 

John Wehrle, D. 
Piol ate JiuU'e David Truaz, R. 

T. B. Petefish, D. 
Clerk ristrict Coui1 Effie Coon, R. 

Lottie vSnyder, D. 
("ounty Attorney A. T. Bodle, Sr., R. 

(leo. S. Selvidge, D. 
Supei'iiit(nident J. A. Porterfield, R. 

James T. Walter, D. 
( "onnnissioner ;^rd District H. E. Hayden, D. 

B. F. Bisbee, R. 

1899.* 
Treasui'c r Moses Black, R. 

Janu^s \\'ilson, D. 
County Clerk Fi-ank W(>hrle, D. 

N. B. Peek, R. 
Sheriff F. C. Judd, D. 

A. J. Byrns, R. 
Register of Deeds \\'iniiie Bonham, R. 

Orniond Hamilton, D. 
Coronei' Wm. F. Fee, D. 

Claus Borger, R. 
Surveyor John H. Ellis, R. 

Oliver Norman, D. 
Clerk District Court John Elliott, D.f 

John O. Keith, R. 

* In 1899 there were three tickets — Repuljlicaii. DcniDiTatif, ;infl Populist, l)ut tin' nomi- 
nees of the last two were identical. 

t In AuKust, 1899, the Clerk of the District Court, Effie Coon, resisned, and .Toll ii O. Keith 
was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next general election. In this election he was de- 
feated by John Elliott, who was inducted into ofHce on Xov. 14th, 1S9!), thus coniplelinK by 
more than one year the icnu for whii'li I^ffic Ccmim h:id hccii cli'ctcd iti is'.ls. 



POMTICAL. 53 



( "oinniissioiicr 1st District .loliii F). Iiiiiis, l{. 

,]. \{. Keith, Pop. 
1900.* 
K('l)r('scntativo S. D. Adams, I). 

A. (). Kdiiiunds. H. 
Prohatc .Iudj>;(> E. W. .Jenkins, H. 

W. J. Woodard, I). 
Clerk Distri.'t Court John Elliott, 1). 

F. Sourl)eer, H. 
Suix'iintendent Maggie Martin, 1). 

J. A. PorterHeld, K. 
Commissionei' 2nd District John F. Conrad, I). 

W. C. Schmoker, R. 
( "ounty Attorney Geo. S. Selvidge, D. 

F. M. Davis, H. 

190 l.t 

Connnissionei- i^rd District H. E. Ha>'den. 

Albert Ileniple. 

1902. 
Representative R. B. Canii)l)ell, R. 

8. D. Adams, D. 
( "ountv Attornev Geo. 8. Selvidge, D. 

A. T. Bodle, Sr., R. 

Treasurer Moses Black, R. 

County Clerk D. P. Wysong, R.t 



Frank Wehrle, D. 



* In 1900 there were three tickets — ^Republican, Democratic, and People's Party, the last 
two having the same nominees. 

t The canvassing board found that the candidates for County Commissioner had each re- 
ceived 1.3 votes. Straws were drawn to decide the tie. Mr, Hayden, having drawn thi long 
straw, was declared the winner. Thereafter Mr. Hemple instituted a contest. He was rep- 
resented by attorneys A. T. Bodle, Sr,, R. W. Griggs, R. M. Painter, F. M. Davis, and E, D. 
Smith. Attorneys for Mr. Hayden were A. B. Reeves, A. T. Bodle, .Jr., Geo. S. Selvidge, and 
Geo. B. .\llen. The contest was heard by E. W. Jenkins, Probate .Judge, with Darius Skinner 
and R. W. CampJjell as associate judges. The contest board decided in favor of the con- 
testee, Mr. Hayden, and a.sse.s.setl the costs, taxed at $10.3, against Mr. Hemple. 

t Mr. Wehrle contested the election, alleging that the election boards liad rejected numer- 
ous legal ballots, which, if counted, would have resulted in the election of Mr. Wehrle. The 
principal point of contention was as follows: The Democrats had failed to make nominations 
for some of the offices, and wliere this occurred there was printed in the space intended for the 
candidate's name the words, "No Nomination," followed by a voting square. Many who 
voted for Mr. Wehrle also placed a cross in the square opposite the "No Nominati<jn." This 
was held to vitiate the whole ballot, and it was accordingly thrown out. Mr. Wehrle con- 
tended that these ballots were legal, and should have been counted. Mr. Wehrle was rep- 
resented bv attorneys F. C. Price, A. T. Bodle, Sr., and A. T. Bodle, .Jr. . Mr. Wvsong bv at- 
torneys R. W. Griggs, F. M. Davis, E. D. Smith, S. S. .\shbaugh, and R. M. Painter. The 
case was heard by E. W, .Jenkins, I'robate Judge, I{. A. Harper and John W. Ellis, associate 
judges, and F. G. Hamilton, clerk. The contest board su.stained the election boards, declared 
Mr. Wysong elected, and taxed the costs, $1.30.64, again.st Mr. Wehrle. 



54 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Probate Judge E. W. Jenkins, R. 

Clerk District (^oui't John Elliott, D. 

J. I. Stamper, R. 
Sheriff Samuel B. Givler, R. 

Samuel P. Bunch, D. 
Register of Deeds Winnie Bonham, R. 

John W. Russell, D. 
Superintendent Maggie Martin, D. 

Bertha Campbell, R. 

Surveyor J. H. Ellis, R. 

Coroner C. B. Leslie, R. 

Wm. F. Fee, D. 
Commissionei- 1st District T. V. Pinnick, R. 

J. H. Randolph, D. 

1904. 

Representative Geo. B. Cones, R. 

H. E. Hayden, D. 
County Attornty^ Frank S. Sullivan, D. 

J. R. (Jriggs, R. 

Ti-easurei' Ormond Hamilton, D. 

( 'ounty ( 1erk D. P. Wysong, R. . 

Frank Wehrle, D. 
Probate Judge A. T. Bodle, Sr., R. 

William Jobling, D. 
( 'leik District Court John Elliott. D. 

E. 0. Palmer, R. 
Sheriff Samuel B. Givler, R. 

Sam Conger, D. 
Register of Deeds Florence Smith, R. 

Charies E. Tally, D. 
Supc^i'intendent Ruth Bennett, D. 

Frilla DeCow, R. 
Surveyor J. M. Robinson, D. 

J. H. Ellis, R. 
( 'oronei- Wm. F. Fee, D. 

C. B. Leslie, R. 



56 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

Commissioner 2nd District John F. Conrad, D. 

Geo. M. Edwards, R. 
Commissioner 8rd District J. W. King, D. 

R. H. Cordes, R. 

190(3. 
Representative S. D. Adams, D. 

Geo. B. Cones, R. 
County Attorney Frank S. Sullivan, D. 

F. P. Marshall, R. 
Treasurer Ormond Hamilton, D. 

Edward Desmarias, R. 
County Clerk W. W. Pressly, R. 

W. H. Dalgarn, D. 
Probate Judge J. H. Randolph, D. 

S. O. Ball, R. 
Clerk District ( Vjurt John Elliott, D. 

Ira Scott, R. 
Sheriff J. S. Price, D. 

J. F. Pinnick, R. 
Register of Deeds Florence Smith, R. 

Charles E. Tally, D. 
Supeiintendent Ruth Bennett, D. 

E. B. Reay, R. 

Surveyor Moses Black, R. 

Coroner Wm. F. Fee, D. 

Geo. A. Nickelson, R. 
Commissionci' 1st District William Jol)ling, D. 

T. V. Pinnick. R. 

1908. 
i{cpi-esentative J. E. McNair, H. 

S. D. Adams, D. 
County Attorney D. P. Wysong, R. 

Geo. B. Allen, D. 
Treasurer Moses Black, R. 

J. C. Hall, D. 
County Clerk W. W. Pressly, R. 

W. J. Woodard, D. 



POLITICAL. 57 



Probate .Judf^o J. H. Kaiidolpli. I). 

.1. H. l':ilis. \{. 
("Icrk Distiict Couii John Islliott, I).* 

Frank I'^llis. 1{. 
Sheriff J. S. Price. I). 

A. J. Byrns, K. 
Register of Deeds W. T. Gray, R. 

C. H. Burford, 1). 
Superintendent Mattie Haigh, I{. 

Lou MeCreUis, D. 
Surveyor N. ('. (Jahvay, K. 

G. W. Dalgarn, D. 
( oroner E. W. Fletcher, R. 

Wm. F. Fee, D. 
Commissioner 2nd District James Wilson, R. 

F. I. Bennett, D. 
Commissioner 3rd District F. M. Paul, Si-., R. 

T. B. Novingei-, D. 

1910. 

Representative Geo. B. Cones, R. 

H. Llewellyn Jones, D. 
County Attorney Frank S. Sullivan, D. 

D. P. Wysong, R. 
Ti-easurer John F. Sweet, R. 

H. Albertson, D. 

County Clerk W. W. Pressly, R. 

Probate Judge J. H. Randolph, D. 

M. S. Gillidett, R. 
Clerk District Court John Elliott, D. 

John O. Keith, R. 
Sheriff Thos. Martin, D. 

E. W. White, R. 

Register of Deeds W. T. Giay, R. 

Superintendent Mattie J. Haigh, R. 

Jessie M. Chase, D. 

* In this election the two candidates for Clerk of the District Court each received the same 
number of votes. The tie was decided by lot. At the suggestion of Mr. Ellis six straws, three 
long and three short, were placed in a book, the ends projecting, and the candidates drew 
alternately. Mr. Elliott drew two long straws and was declared elected. 



58 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Surveyor N. C. Galway, R. 

George Hockaden, D. 

Coroner E. A. Twist, Ind. 

rommis8ion(>r 1st District A. B. Roberts, R. 

Wm. Jo1)ling, D. 

1912. 

Representativ(> E. L. Watt, R. 

H. J. Sloss, R. 

Isaac Covalt, So. 

County Attorney Frank S. Sullivan, D. 

Ti-easui-er J. F. Sweet, R. 

J. D. Dalgarn, So. 
Probate .Judge. J. H. Randolph, D. 

A. J. Paden, R. 

Newton Snyder, So. 
County Clerk W. W. Pressly, R. 

J. D. GoUihcr, So. 
Clerk Distiiet Court John Elliott, D. 

John Lusk, Jr., So. 
Sheriff Thos. Martin, D. 

J. A. Spencer, R. 

R. J. Walk, So. 

Register of Deeds W. T. Gray, R. 

Superint(nident Pearl Wood-Smith, 1^. 

Frank Carlson, R. 

Surveyor Moses Black, R. 

Coroner Wm. F. Fee, D. 

G. A. Nickelson, So. 
Commissioner 2nd District John Cordes, D. 

H. N. Holderman, R. 
Commissiouei' ;^rd District T. B. Novinger D. 

S. T. Fi-ederick, R. 

1914. 

Representative H. LleweUyu Jones, 1). 

Geo. W. Day, R. 

C. B. T>eslie, Progressive. 



60 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Countv Attorney Frank S. Sullivan, D. 

F. M. Davis, R. 

E. D. Smith, Prog. 
Treasurer II. W. Campbell, R. 

Frank Wehrle, D. 
C. M. Gates, Prog. 
County Clerk W. W. Pressly, R. 

F. W. Calvert, Prog. 
Probate .Judge C. A. Marrs, R. 

J. H. Randolph, D. 
Blanche Love, Prog. 

Clerk District Court John Elliott, D. 

Effie Sandusky, R. 

Sheriff L- O. Krisle, D. 

Frank Ellis, R. 

H. E. Hoon, Prog. 
Register of Deeds Ira Scott, R. 

W. H. Dalgain, D. 

Jennie Crocker, Progressive, 

Superintendent Pearl Wood-Smith, D. 

Surveyor Tyloses Black, R. 

(has. Havens, Prog. 
Coroner Wm. F. Fee, D. 

E. W. Fletcher, Prog. 
Commissioner 1st District A. B. Roberts, R. 

John Staples, D. 

Chai'le-; Haskins, Prog. 



BANKS. 

Meade County has not been lacking in financial in- 
stitutions. The first bank to incorporate was the 
Meade County Savings Bank, incorporated July 30th, 
1885; Isaac N. (Jraves, R. R. Wells, H. H. Rogers, C. 
W. Adams, A. H. Heber, E. F. Seeberger, K. L. Mead, 
and L. E. Steele, Directors. This bank, however, 
never opened for business. 

The first bank to do business in Meade County was 
The Meade Deposit Bank, a private bank, which com- 
menced business in Meade Center in the fall of 1885 : 
M. J. O'Meara, President; B. F. Cox, Vice-President; 
]\1. H. Ewart, Cashier. About a year later it national- 
ized, and l)ecame The First National Bank of Meade 
Center. It operated as a national bank for a couple 
of years, when it went into involuntary liquidation, 
with John C. Fry as receiver. 

The Meade County Bank, Meade Center, was incor- 
porated Feb. 26th, 1886, with a capital stock of $50,000. 
Directors, A. H. Heber, M. Wightman, Ed. Dool, C. 
S. Rockey, and Chas. P. Woodbury. It afterwards 
nationalized under the name of The Meade County 
National Bank, but in 1890 it again l)ecame a State 
bank under its original name and with its original cap- 
ital stock; A. H. Heber, Geo. L. Stevens, E. F. Rie- 
man, E. T. Brawley, and Chas. P. Woodbury, Direct- 
ors. Soon afterwards it liquidated and went out of 
business, Geo. B. Cones winding up its affairs as 
trustee. 

[61] 



62 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



The Farmers and Stockgrowers Bank was incorpo- 
rated Nov. 20th, 1886, capital stock $50,000, and opened 
for business at Meade Center, with the following Di- 
rectors : Isaac N. Graves, Samuel Williams, Lewis K. 
McGuffin, Oscar B. Hamilton, and Ormond Hamilton. 
This bank was reincorporated August 31st, 1891, with 
a capital stock of $.5,000, and with Ormond Hamilton, 
F. G. Hamilton, M. P. Hamilton, J. W. Hamilton and 
M. H. Tripod as Directors. At this time the mercury 
in the thermometer of business had reached to almost 
zero, and it continued to descend for some years. This 
bank was conservatively managed, but under the ad- 
verse conditions existing at that time success was un- 
attainable, and the bank became insolvent. In 1896 
Louis Boehler was appointed receiver, and remained 
in charge of the assets until the affairs were settled, 
and he was finally discharged in 1902. And it is to the 
credit of the receiver and of the officers and stock- 
holders of the bank, that after paying the expense of 
the receivership and the preferred claims, the general 
creditors realized more than seventy-eight cents on the 
dollar, a much higher rate than is usually paid ])y an 
insolvent. 

The Citizens State Bank, Meade Center, was in- 
corporated Aug. 5th, 1887, with a capital stock of $100.- 
000 ; George C. Strong, E. G. Robertson, C. W. Adams, 
W. H. Young, Wm. K. Palmer, Coleman Rogers, and 
A. J. McCabe, Directors. This bank was reorganized 
Jan. 11th, 1889, under the name of The Citizens Bank 
of Meade Center; capital stock, $50,000. Directors, 
E. G. Robertson, Coleman Rogers, Arthur J. McCabe, 
C. W. Adams, and C. E. Cones. It soon thereafter 
liquidated. 



64 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



The Bank of West Plains, West Plains, was incorpo- 
rated Jan. nth, 1888; capital stock, $50,000. Direct- 
ors, B. B. Brown, W. C. Gould, C. Gould, H. B. Stone, 
and R. F. Crawford. This bank continued to do busi- 
ness until the general conditions of the country warned 
the Directors that a continuation would mean failure, 
when they closed their doors, paid depositors and 
creditors in full, and quit business. The officers. 
Brown, Gould and Stone, went to Colorado and en- 
gaged in the banking business at Lamar. 

A private bank was also organized at Fowler, in the 
late 80's, of which Wm. Beaty was president, B. F. 
Cox, Vice-President, O. S. Hurd, Cashier ; capital 
stock, $5,000. It paid out in full and quit business in 
1890. 

Of the banks at present doing business in Meade 
County, The Meade State Bank was incorporated 
Aug. 22nd, 1899. Directors, C. Q. Chandler, W. S. 
Berryman, J. W. Berryman, N. A. Berryman, and Emily 
Berry man. Its capital stock was $5,000, which was 
increased to $10,000 in 1900. In 1903 this bank was 
reorganized, under the same charter, with R. A. Harper, 
President, B. F. Cox, Vice-President, Louis Boehler, 
Cashier. In 1909 the capital stock was again increased, 
this time to $30,000. It now has a surplus, in round 
numl)ers. of $13,000, and deposits of $200,000. Its 
depositors are protected by the Bank Depositors' Guar- 
anty Fund of the State of Kansas. 

The First National Bank of Meade o])ened for busi- 
ness on May 2nd, 1904, with the following officers : 
President, J. B. Buck; Vice-President, Geo. S. Sel- 
vidge ; Cashier, F. W. Curl. The Directors, in addition 



BANKS. 65 

to the Pi-{'si(l('iit and N'icc-Prcsident, were: K. A. 
Twist. I. inn Frazier, I^. F. Leach. J. II. (Jraves, and Geo. 
B. Cones. The present officers are: W. F. Casteen. 
President; J. F. Conrad, Vice-President; F. W. Curl, 
Cashier. Its capital stock is $25,000, and its surplus 
and deposits, in round numbers, are respectively $25,- 
000 and $1S0,()00. Its depositors are protected by 
bond in The Deposit (Juaranty and Surety Co. 

The Fowler State Bank, Fowler, was incorporated 
April 3rd, 1906, with a capital stock of $10,000, and 
with the following Directors : R. A. Harper, J. C. Hall, 
Leo P. McMeel, Louis Boehler, W. P. Bunyan, and F. 
D. Morrison. Its present oificers are : R. A. Harper, 
President ; T. V. Pinnick, Vice-President ; F. D. 
Morrison, Cashier ; John F. Sweet, Assistant Cashier. 
Its present capital stock, surplus and deposits are, 
respectively, $25,000, $12,500, and $100,000. It is 
under the protection of the Bank Depositors' Guar- 
anty Fund. 

The First National Bank of Fowler commenced 
business Jan. 3rd, 1910, with the following officers : 
President, John F. Conrad ; Vice-President, J. C. 
Hall; Cashier, D. B. Mitchell; Directors, John F. 
Conrad, J. C. Hall, Linn Frazier, John Boucher, and 
J. M. Dowell. Its present officers are : Linn Frazier. 
President ; J. C. Hall, Vice-President ; Geo. D. Hall, 
Cashier. Its capital stock, surplus and deposits are, 
respectively, $25,000, $15,000, and $115,000. Its de- 
positors are protected by surety bond. 

The Plains State Bank, Plains, was incorporated 
July 7th, 1906, with the following Directors: J. A. 
Collingwood, D. A. Collingwood, Joe G. Collingwood, 



66 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



S. G. Demoret, Ella Demoret, and J. H. Collingwood, 
the last named of whom has been Cashier since the 
bank's organization. Its present capital stock and 
surplus are $35,000; its deposits are $150,000. 

The American Mortgage Tiust Company was char- 
tered August 15th, 1887, with an authorized capital 
stock of two hundred thousand dcllars. Its purposes 
were to negotiate loans on farm and city property, to 
purchase securities, and to own and sell real estate. 
The Directors were : A. H. Heber, Willis G. Emerson, 
L. S. Sears, L. W. Brown, Edward Dool, R. P. Brown, 
Geo. L. Stevens, D. W. Higbee, and L. D. Rogers, — 
all of whom were residents of Meade County, save 
the last three. This company flourished for a time, 
but finally became involved. Geo. S. Selvidge was ap- 
pointed receiver, and at a receiver's sale in 1899 R. W. 
Griggs purchased the entire assets of the corporation 
for three hundred dollars. 




ARTESIAN WELL ON THE B. F. LEACH FARM. 



NEWSPAPERS. 

Meade County is the rock that has wrecked the 
hopes and shattered the dreams of many newspaper- 
men. In the early days almost every boom town 
"sported" but did not "support" a newspaper. The 
result w^as that these papers were published with more 
or less regularity as long as the editor could get credit 
for white paper and printer's ink, and then died a 
natural death. I use the expression "natural death" 
advisedly, because it is but natural that these early- 
day newspapers, under the economic conditions that 
then existed, should come to an untimely end. 

The first paper published in Meade County was The 
Pearlette Call, by Bennett & Lowery, the first edition 
appearing April 15th, 1S79, and the last bearing date 
May 8th, ISSO. 

In May, 1885, C. K. Sourbeer issued the first num- 
ber of The Spring Lake Hornet, which continued to ap- 
pear monthly until the summer of 1889. 

In June, 1885, E. E. Henley commenced publishing 
The Fowler Graphic, and continued until 1891. 

The Carthage Times was published from June, 1885, 
to January, 188(). 

In July, 1885, Cannon Bros, issued the first number 
of The Meade Center Pre.s,s. In December of the same 
year this paper was sold to Mechler Bros., and the name 
changed to The Press Democrat. In March, 1886, 
Mechler Bros, sold to H. Wiltz Brown, and in 1890 
Brown unloaded on Sam Lawrence, who ])ublislied the 

[68] 



NEWSPAPERS. 09 



paper under the iianie of The Mcddc Drniocnil until 
1894, when he sokl lo ('. (i. AHen, and puhlicat ion was 
suspended in 1895. 

In the spring' ol' 1887 'V . ,1. Palmer (referred to af- 
fectionately by his friends and derisively by his ene- 
mies, as "Toe-jam") issued The Meade Repiihllcdn, 
which existed until 1894. 

In the summer of 1887 H. L. Bisho}) i)ublishe(l The 
Mertilla Times, but the times were too hard and this 
paper lived but a few months. 

In 18S7 Lon Whorton issued the first number of 
The Meade Center Telegram, and the last number was 
issued the following- year. 

The West Plains (inantian was published from 1887 
to 1889. 

The Fowler Advocate was published for about a year, 
commencing- in 1887. 

The Meade County (Hobe was estalilished in July, 1885. 
by J. Malcolm Johnson. In August, 1886. this paper 
was purchased by Frank Fuhr, and by him published 
for twenty-seven years. Mr. Fuhr witnessed the rise 
and fall of practically all of the newspaper ventures, 
and it is chiefly from him that the informati( n in this 
chapter is obtained. In November, 1913, Mr. Fuhr 
sold the Globe to W. S. Martin, who has since been its 
publisher. 

In 19C0 John Wehrle established The Meade Countij 
News, and continued to publish it until in 19(U), when 
it was sold to The Meade Publishing Company, a cor- 
poration organized by the business men of Meade. 
John Innis was placed in charge as business manager 
i:rd E. D. Smith as editor. After a few months Smitli 



70 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

retired, and was succeeded by John Miller, who edited 
the A'eivs for about a year. Miller was succeeded as 
editor by Agnes Wehrle, who conducted the paper a 
while for the corporation, and in July, 1912, Miss 
Wehrle purchased the plant, and the corporation went 
out of existence. 

In 1906 I. J. Stanton established The Fowler Gazette, 
and published it until 1914, when he sold out to W. R. 
Bond, who, after a brief experience, sold to Perry Bros., 
who changed the name of the paper to The Fowler News. 

Maurice McDonald established The Plains Journal 
in 1907. After about a year he sold to E. B. McCon- 
nell. Mr. McConnell published it for three or four 
years and then sold to F. W. Calvert, the present owner 
and editor. 

In addition to the regular newspapers there is pub- 
lished during the school year The Tattler, published by 
the Meade High School students, and The High School 
Life, pu])lished by students of the Fowler High School. 

It is not recorded that the publisher of any Meade 
County newspaper acquired great wealth by his enter- 
prise. But that is neither a reflection on, nor a criti- 
cism of, Meade County. For the most part these 
papers were established in the early days, the "boom" 
days, the promising days, and the newspaperman, like 
the merchant, the banker and others, simply followed 
the light that failed. 




'J 



*l 



-r '-i- 



w 



'1 




' 'i^fc M^^.i^Il 



ISOME WELL. 



CHURCHES. 

The history of civilization shows that the missionary 
followed closely the discoverer, and so we find the early 
settlers of Meade County active in the organization of 
religious societies, long before the organization of the 
county. 

The first organized church in the county was the 
First Congregational Church of Crooked Creek, or- 
ganized in 1879. On October 1st, 1879, Geo. S. Emer- 
son deeded to Silas E. Ayres, W. D. Ayers and H. M. 
Fordes, Trustees of said church, a plot of ground in 
the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 6, Township 30, Range 26, described in the deed 
as follows: "After allowing for the road on section 
line and extension four hundred feet, and three and a 
half feet east and west, and tvv^o hundred and sixteen 
and one quarter feet north and south." 

A church building was erected on this grant ard a 
cemetery provided for, which cemetery still marks the 
spot. Rev. Mr. Feemster was the first pastor. This 
ctiurch was regularly organized, but was not incorpo- 
rated. 

The first incorporated church was Pleasant Prairie 
Congregational Church, incorporated March 18th, 
1881, more than four years prior to the organization of 
the county, with John Schmoker, Peter Blair and Chris- 
tian Schmoker as trustees. Services were held at the 
old Belle Meade schoolhcuse. 

Next to incorporate was the Meade Center Metho- 

[721 



CHITRCIIES. 73 



(list Kpiseopa! (Miiirch, incorporated Marcli 2()tli, 1886, 
with (loorsc W. Kvin^ton, Samuel I). Iliiffinan, David 
Truax, Sam Lawrence and (Jeo. Wallace as trustees. 
This church was organiziMl by Rev. J. N. Stamper, 
who was its first minister, and, it is said, preached the 
first sermon in Meade. 

Closely following- this was the First Methodist Epis- 
copal riuirch of Fowler City, incorporated June 18th, 
ISSG, with James B. Brewer, (Jeorge Fowler, Smith 
S. Pine, Alfred V. Carpenter and Alexander A. Major 
as trustees. 

Then came the Church of Christ of Meade Center, 
incorporated Aug. 9th, 1886, with F. P. Scott, A. D. 
McDaniel, A. J. Davis, M. B. Peede and C. G. Allen 
as trustees. This church prospered for a time, but 
later languished, and the church building was after- 
wards secured and used by the First Baptist Church, 
organized in 1899. 

Next was the First United Presbyterian Church of 
Meade Center, iircorporated Jan. 14th. 1887, with H. 
I. Stevens, Edward Tring, E. D. Smith, M. E. Huston 
and M. W. Milligen as trustees. As an organization 
this church never obtained a permanent foothold, and 
most of its members united with the First Presbyterian 
Church of Meade Center, which was incorporated Jan. 
22nd, 1887, with Edward Dool. Edward P. Boyle and 
James A. Lynn as trustees. 

On Feb. 22nd, LS87, the First Methodist Episcopal 
Church of West Plains was incorporated, with Benj. 
P. Bruce, Fred Baddeley, Thos. Beaty, Harry B. Stone 
and Ernest Russell as trustees. This church main- 
tained its organization until the city of West Plains 
was practically depopidated, when it lapsed. 



74 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



The Crooked Creek Methodist Episcopal Church 
was incorporated Oct. 6th, 1887, with J. W. Brock, 
Wm. J. Brown and John L. Smith as trustees. 

The First Baptist Church of Meade was incorpo- 
rated Aug. 24th, 1899, with William T. Dick, Mrs. M. 
A. Williams, X. B. Sawyer, A. V. Angel and H. G. 
Yocum as trustees. The first pastor of this church 
was Rev. J. M. Robinson. 

Then came the First Baptist Church of Plains, in- 
corporated Jan. 22nd, 1904, with Luellen Edwards, 
A. J. Parsons, J. W. King, G. W. Gillidett and J. B. 
Sullivan as trustees. Coincident with the organization 
of this church a building was erected by popular sub- 
scription, which building, while being primarily under 
the control of the Baptist Church, was to be opened 
freely to any other denomination desiring to use it. 

April 7th, 1904, the Evangelical Lutheran St. Johan- 
nes Congregation or Society, Odee Township, was in- 
corporated, with Henry Borchers, Henry Winter and 
Henry Eckhoff as trustees. 

The Free Methodist Church of Mertilla was incorpo- 
rated May 20th, 1908, with C. F. Bowyer, George W. 
Branstetter, J. S. Cornish, P. L. Triplett and Al- 
bertus Fry as trustees. 

This was followed by the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Plains, incorporated Aug. 19th, 1910; A. 
S. Prather, A. L. Driver, O. D. Overton, N. A. Geisinger 
and H. M. Wooten, trustees. 

Next was the First Christian Church of Fowler, in- 
corporated Jan. 5th, 1911 ; J. (J. Clark, J. L. Runyan, 
W. E. Carr, John W. Sims and George Lasater, trustees. 

After this was the First Baptist Church of Prowler, 




ANOTHER GUSHER. 



76 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



incorporated June 21st, 1911 ; William T. Dick, Charles 
VanDoren and John Foster, trustees. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Uneda came 
last, incorporated March 24th, 1913 ; Geo. P. Gamble, 
H. H. Ford, J. W. Steele, O. J. Easton and P. J. Mitch- 
ell, trustees. 

In addition to these churches there were, first and 
last, many others maintaining organizations that were 
not incorporated under the State laws, some of which 
are still active. Among the latter are the Roman 
Catholic Churches at Fowler, Plains, and Meade, the 
last named of which is among the oldest churches in 
the county. In October, 1888, this church purchased 
about a quarter of an acre of ground lying just north 
of Block 25, First Addition, and erected a building 
thereon, which was used until a few years ago, when, 
it being considered no longer fit, it was razed, and the 
present church built. 

Then there is St. Augustine Protestant Episcopal 
Church of Meade, built in 1911, and the Christian 
Church, organized in February, 1916 ; the Friends, 
who have just completed in Fowler the most modern 
and beautiful church huildirg in the county. The 
Mormons have an organization in the country south 
of Missler, and the Mennonite Church in what is 
known as "the Colony," south and east of Mer,de. 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The public schools of Meade County compare most 
favorably with those of other counties of the State. 
The county is divided into 44 school districts, having' 
a school population of 1,738, and employing 72 teachers. 

Both Meade and Prowler maintain well-equipped 
accredited high schools, the former employing 14 in- 
structors and the latter 12. Plains employs 5 teachers. 

Of the teachers employed in the ])u}ilic schools, 24 
hold State certificates, 9 hold Normal Ti-aining certifi- 
cates, 13 have first-grade county certificates, 12 second- 
grade, and 14 third-grade. 

Each of the towns has splendid modern school fniild- 
ings, and many of the country districts have school- 
houses that would do credit to any community. 

The average wage paid teachers for the year 1915-1(3 
was $9G per month, for high-school teachers, $70 per 
month for teachers in the grades, and Soo per month 
in the rural schools. 



[77] 



FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS. 

Meade County is noted for its Fraternal Societies, 
and prol)ably, in proportion to its population, has more 
fraternalists than any other county in Kansas. 

The M. W. A. have a camp at Plains, organized in 
1904. Plains Lodge No. 367, A. F. & A. M., was or- 
ganized in February, 1912. 

Fowler Lodge No. 519, I. O. O. F., received its 
charter on Oct. ICth, 1901 ; Fowler Rebekah Lodge 
No. 406 was chartered Jan. 21st, 1902; Fowler Camp 
No. 1768, M. W. A., received its charter on March 
3rd, 189S; and Friendship Camp No. 1768, R. N. A., 
was chartered Dec. 5th, 1908. 

The city of Meade is especially distinguished as a 
fraternal center. 

Of the lodges still active, the oldest is Webb Lodge 
No. 275, A. F. & A. M., its warrant bearing date Feb. 
16th, 1887; Webb Chapter No. 304, O. E. S., was 
chartered on May 14th, 1908; and on Feb. Kith, 1909, 
the 22nd anniversary of the blue lodge, a warrant was 
issued for Meade Chapter No. 46, R. A. M. 

A charter was issued for Meade Lodge No. 523, 
I. O. O. F., Oct. 10th, 1901 ; for the Meade Rebekah 
Lodge No. 422, on Sept. 19th, 1902; for Meade En- 
campment No. 138, on Oct. 10th, 1907 ; and a warrant 
was issued for the Canton of Patriarchs Militant No. 
8, on Nov. 6th, 1907. 

Meade Lodge No. 22, K. of P., was organized in 
November, 1911. 

[78] 



80 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Meade Center Lodge No. 247, A. O. U. W., was 
granted a charter on Sept. 4th, 1902. 

A charter was issued to Meade Camp No. 1738, 
M. W. A., on Aug. 12th, 1892; and to Middlemarch 
Camp No. 622, R. N. A., on April ICth, 1902. 

Meade Council No. 225, Sons and Daughters of 
Justice, was organized in February, 1906. 

Meade Center Post No. 388, while previously exist- 
ing, was reorganized in 1909. 

Artesian Camp No. 201, W. O. W., was organized 
in July, 1915. 

Meade also has an organization of the A. H. T. A. 

Three members of the Meade organizations are at 
present the heads of three great orders, viz. : R. M. 
Painter is Department Commander of the G. A. R. of 
Kansas ; O. R. Stevens is (Jrand Patriarch of the (Jrand 
Encampment, I. (). O. F. ; Frank S. Sullivan is Grand 
Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, Grand Domain 
of Kansas. 



BONDED INDEBTEDNESS. 

On March 15th, 1888, Meade County issued one 
hundred twenty bonds of one thousand dollars each, 
bearing six per cent and due in twenty years, in aid of 
the Chicago, Kansas & Nebraska Railroad. These 
are the only bonds ever issued by the county as an orig- 
inal obligation, all subsequent issues — and there have 
been several — being for the purpose of taking care of 
these original bonds, and other accrued indebtedness. 

The bonds standing against the county at the close 
of the fiscal year, July 1st, 1915, are as follows : 

1,000 due in 1929, bearing 5 per cent interest. 

»,000 due in 1936, bearing 4I2 per cent in- 
terest. 

),000 due in 1938, bearing 419 P^r cent in- 
terest. 

The present bonded indebtedness of the diiferent 
townships is as follows : 

Meade Center $7,500 

West Plains 6,000 

Sand Creek 2,000 

The cities are bonded as follows : 

Meade $37,350 

Plains 20,000 

Fowler 29,300 



IS 11 



82 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

The various school districts had in outstanding bonds, 
July 1st, 1915, as follows : 

Joint No. 1 $800 

No. 2 23,500 

No. 5 600 

No. 10 1,000 

No. 14 200 

No. 16 10,000 

No. 18 12,200 

No. 22 400 

No. 39 400 

No. 58 600 

No. 60 800 

No. 61 1,200 

No. 62 500 

No. 66 1,000 

No. 69 100 





FRANK MAKRS AND ONE OF HIS WELLS. 



HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. 

In the construction and maintenance of highways 
and bridges, Meade County has expended considerable 
money during the last ten years. In 1889 the Legis- 
lature enacted a law declaring all section lines in Meade 
County to be public highways. As the country was 
largely devoted to stock-raising, this law soon proved 
to be very objectionable to a majority of the citizens, 
and was repealed by Chapter 212 of the Laws of 1895. 

So long as the country was used largely as a grazing 
proposition, little farming being done, there was but 
little use for roads, and very little money was ex- 
pended on their upkeep. But as the country devel- 
oped, as farmers required means for marketing their 
crops, and especially since the automobile has come 
into general use, the demand for more and better roads 
has been insistent, and Meade County today probably 
has better roads than any other county of the same 
population. 

Up to this time 77 miles have been designated as 
county roads, as follows : A road extending from the 
northwest corner of the city of Plains north to the 
county line, 14 miles ; extending from the southeast 
corner of the city of Plains south to the State line, 
practically 18 miles ; a road extending north from 
Missler to the county line, 1 1 miles ; a road connecting 
Plains, Meade and Fowler, located as follows : Com- 
mencing at the northeast corner of the city of Plains, 
thence 1 mile north, thence 5 miles east, thence 2 miles 

[84] 



HIGHWAYS AND BRTDCJES. 85 



north, thence 4 miles east, thence one liall'-inile south, 
thence 1 mile east, thence one half-mil(> south, to the 
northwest corner of Section 5, Township 32, Range 
28 ; thence, commencing at the southeast corner of 
said Section 5 and extending east to the city of Meade ; 
from Meade the road goes north about one half-mile, 
thence east one half-mile, then north 1 mile, east one 
half-mile, north 2 miles, east 1 mile, north 2 miles, 
thence east 6 miles, to Fowler, thence north from the 
northwest corner of Fowler 6 miles, to the county line. 

It will be noted there is a gap in this road around 
Section 5, Township 32, Range 28. The reason for 
this is that when this road was designated the Com- 
missioners were unable to determine whether the road 
should follow the section line around Section 5, or 
whether to angle through this section, and so this 
matter was left to be decided later. 

All county roads are graded and dragged at the ex- 
pense of the county, and many of the township roads 
are graded and dragged at the expense of the various 
townships. 

The steel bridge across Crooked Creek, on Road No. 
1, just east of Meade, was built in 1909, at a cost of 
$1,765. 

In 1910 three bridges were built under the same con- 
tract, the aggregate cost being $5,381. These are all con- 
crete bridges, and are known as the Brinckman bridge, 
crossing Crooked Creek on Road No. 88 ; the Bunyan 
bridge, crossing Crooked Creek on Road No. 68 ; and 
the Conrad bridge, crossing Crooked Creek on Road 
No. 6. 

Eight bridges were built in 1913, all of concrete. 



86 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



They are as follows : The Adams bridge, just north 
of Meade, on Road No. 72; cost $1,776. Prior to 
this time a wooden biidge had stood here. The Pin- 
nick bridge, on Road No. 3, about a mile west of Fowler, 
at a cost of $1,500. The Watt bridge, on Road No. 
63, across Crooked Creek, north of Fowler, at a cost 
of $1,448. The Fanchar bridge, across Sand Creek, 
on Road No. 39, Logan Township, at an original cost 
of $1,375. Scarcely had this bridge been completed 
than high water caused the creek to cut a new channel, 
and it became necessary to extend the bridge at an 
additional cost of $1,200. A bridge across Crooked 
Creek, on the line between Meade and Ford Counties, 
was built by the two counties jointly, each county pay- 
ing the sum of $545. This is on Road No. 54. 

The McMeel bridge, just south of Meade, on Road 
No. S, was built by Meade Center Township, the county 
contributing $300. The Boyer bridge, on Road No. 
32, was also built by the township, the county con- 
tributirg $400. 

The year 1915 brought four bridges. On Road No. 
32, across Skunk Arroya, in Odee Township, a cement 
ford was constructed at a cost of $250. A low-water 
bridge was built across Stump Arroya, on Road No. 32, 
in Odee Township, at a cost of $1,917. 

The Stalder bridge, on Road No. 70, across Crooked 
Creek, in Meade Center Township, cost $600 ; the 
Hughbanks bridge, on Road No. 32, Meade Center 
Township, cost $2,355.80. This creek was spanned by 
a bridge which stood u]) for a year or two, but the high 
w^aters of 1915 undermined the foundation, wrecking the 
bridge, and making the construction of a larger and bet- 
ter one imperative. 




A TOOL DKIXK. 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



About ten years ago the county built a low wooden 
bridge across the Cimarron river, on Road No. 95, at 
a cost of about $750, of which the Meade Commercial 
Club paid one-third. This bridge was taken out by 
flood, and in 1909 the county built a one-hundred-foot 
span steel bridge where the wooden bridge had stood, 
at a cost of $2,830. In 1913 the approach to the south 
end of this bridge burned out, and was replaced at a 
cost of $388. 

In May, 1914, a flood, the like of which is not in the 
memory of the oldest inhabitant, came down the 
Cimarron, taking this bridge out completely. When 
the waters subsided, of the structure costing more than 
three thousand dollars nothing remained save three or 
four pillars, the remainder of the bridge being buried 
somewhere in the treacherous sands, from which no 
part of it has ever been recovered. 



AUTOMOBILES. 

On August 29th, 1904, there was delivered to Jolm 
W. Baughman, at Phiins. the first aut()in<)l)ile to enter 
Meade County. It was a two-passenger Winton Sur- 
rey, capable of a speed of fifteen miles an hour under 
favorable conditions, but there is ro record of its ever 
having attained so great a velocity. In consideration 
of this car. which was a "second-hand" one, Mr. 
Baughman exchanged a quarter-section of land for 
which he had paid the sum of one hundred twenty-five 
dollars. Dr. Fee was the second Meade County man 
to own a car, and his first was of the old-style buggy 
type; and when C. P. Fullington appeared with his 
one-cylinder Cadillac and a regular chauffeur, Meade 
took on metropolitan airs. 

On May 1st, 1916, there were 360 cars registered, 
of 43 different makes, classified as follows : Ford, 147 ; 
Overland, 35; Maxwell, 31 ; Reo, 25; Buick, 18; Stu- 
debaker, Hudson, and Dodge, 10 each; Allen, 9; 
E. M. F., 5; Chandler, Halliday, Flanders, Saxon, and 
Hupmobile, 4 each ; Jackson, Brush, and Chalmers, 3 
each ; Moline, Regal, Case, Krit, Mitchell, and Oak- 
land, 2 each ; and 1 each of Lambert, Sterling, Paige, 
Apperson, Partin-Palmer. Glide, Detroiter, Wescot, 
Metz, Paige-Detroit, Chevrolet, Dort, Mason, Carter, 
King, Auburn, Anchor. Jones, and Coey. 

At the same time there were 73 motor-cycles, of the 
following makes: Harley-Davidson, 41; Indian, 16; 



[89] 



90 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Excelsior, 9 ; Henderson, 2 ; and one each of Thor, 
Apache, Sears Leader, Light, and Pope. 

Dealers' licenses were in effect for the Harley-David- 
son motor-cycle, and for the following cars : Empire, 
Interstate, Ford, Detroiter, Allen, Hupmobile, Krit, 
Halliday, Moon, Maxwell. Hudson, Overland, Saxon, 
Buick, Dodge, Studebaker. 




EAIU,V-I)AY RE8IDENCP:] 



THE COURT HOUSE. 

During the county-seat fight it was generally under- 
stood that if the county seat were located at Meade 
Center the city would dedicate a block in the center 
of the town, designated on the official plat as "Block 
A," to the county, and would erect for the county a 
r;ourt house. 

But, "the best-laid schemes of mice and men gang 
aft a-gley." Meade Center was designated as the 
county seat, but the proposed dedication of "Block 
A" to the county was never made, and neither was the 
court house ever built for the county. 

The building originally used as a court house was a 
frame building en the south side of the alley cf the 
block in which now stands the Southern Hotel, facing 
east. This building was rented by the county, and 
while some of the county officers maintained offices 
uptown, this was officially the court house, although 
court was held in the second story of a building located 
back of the present site of Fick's store, and facing north. 

On March 3rd, 1888, the city of Meade obtained from 
Charles E. Cones a deed for Lots 13 and 14, in Block 3, 
original survey, and soon thereafter commenced the 
construction of the present court house, although it 
was built for, and known for years as, the city hall. 
It has been used as a court house practically ever since 
its completion. 

In the summer of 1895 negotiations were had be- 
tween the County Commissioners and the City Coun- 

[92] 



M 








_j 



94 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



cil of Meade, looking toward the purchase of this build- 
ing by the county. The proposition was voted on at 
the general election in November, and carried by a vote 
of 288 to 39. The nominal consideration was five 
thousand dollars, which was paid in a round-about 
way. The Meade County Bank, which had failed and 
was then in the hands of George B. Cones. Trustee, was 
a depository of something like four thousand dollars 
of the county's funds. The city of Meade owed this 
bank ; the city had not the money to pay the bank, and 
the bank lacked the necessary assets to make restora- 
tion to the county, and so the county took over the city 
hall, paying to the city of Meade the sum of $950.56 
and to the trustee of The Meade County Bank the sum 
of $82.77, and thus released the bank from further 
obligation to the county. The city was released from 
further obligation to the bank, the two debts were 
wiped out, and the county acquired the present court 
house. 

In April, 1911, the county purchased of (leorge B. 
Cones two lots adjoining the court-house site, for a con- 
sideration of $355.55, and in December, 1915, the 
county purchased of Lucy R. Allen eight lots adjoin- 
ing these, for a consideration of $1,6CC, so that the 
county row cwns an entire half-block, a tract of ground 
suitable in area ard location for a court house such as 
Meade County ought to have. 

The present court house, while having served its 
])urpose well in the i)ast, is by no means adequate to 
the needs of the present, and it would be false economy 
to retain it much longer. Not a single office is suffi- 
ciently commodious to permit a proper transaction of 



THE COURT HOUSE. 95 



the business i)ertainiii,u- to thai ol'fice ; every vault 
is packed and crowded with records until it is a difficult 
proposition, oftentimes, to find the record of a particular 
thing- required ; the Commissioners have nowhere to 
meet save in the County Clerk's office, whicdi office is 
of inade(iuate ])r()])ortions for that purpose; there is 
but one jury-room, and that is so small as to be unsani- 
tary ; no record is absolutely safe, and a fire would do 
incalculable and irreparable damage. 

A commodious, modern, fire-proof building could be 
constructed at a cost to each taxpayer of four dollars 
on every thousand dollars valuation of his property, 
and such a building would not only save money to 
every taxpayer in the way of lessened expense of up- 
keep and insurance, but the danger of damage or de- 
struction of records would be eliminated, and such a 
building would add to the value of every tract and parcel 
of real property in the county. 

Not only as a matter of pride, not only as a matter 
of convenience, not only as a matter of "safety first," 
but as a matter of dollars and cents, Meade County 
should have a new court house, and one that will meet 
the requirements of the futuie as well as the needs of 
the present. 



THE SALT WELL. 

One of the natural curiosities of Meade County is 
the salt well, about two miles south of Meade, the his- 
tory of which commences at about the time of the first 
settlement. 

The Jones & Plummer trail was the route of prac- 
tically all travel between Fort Dodge and Fort Elliott. 
This trail passed east of the present site of Meade 
about a mile, extended south for several miles, and then 
turned westward. It was the practice of travelers, 
and more especially of freighters, to camp on Spring 
Creek the second night out of Fort Dodge. To reach 
this favorite camping-ground they would branch off of 
the main trail a mile or so south of the present city of 
Meade, and angle across the prairie in a southwesterly 
direction to the waters of Spring Creek, and a well- 
defined trail across this prairie had been established. 
On March 16th, 1879, a Mexican freighter passed along 
this accustomed route, and camped on Spring Creek. 
All was as usual at that time. On the 19th of March 
an American freighter, probably returning from Fort 
Elliott, discovered an immense "cave-in" on this 
branch trail to Spring Creek. One side of the road, or 
trail, was left intact, the other had disappeared. He 
proceeded to Dodge City and reported his strange dis- 
covery. Great interest was awakened, and many per- 
sons from Dodge and elsewhere came to view this re- 
markable work of Nature. Among the first to visit 
it was C. E. Haywood, and it is to him and to J. R. 

196] 



THE SALT WELL. 97 



Colgan that the autlioi- is ])i-iii('i])ally iii(l(>l)1(Ml for the 
early history ol* this "\V(>11." 

Many stories are extant ooneerninu' the (h'pth of the 
salt well. One story is that Cai)t. W'irtli h't down six 
hundred I'eei of rope without finding- bottom, and while 
this appears to be authenticated, yet it does not follow 
that the well was more than six hundred f(U't deep, 
because the water was so impregnated with salt that 
a human body would Moat round like a dry log, so it 
is not sui'i)rising that the rope, although attacdicd to a 
weight, did not sink. 

In May, f879, J. R. Colgan took careful measure- 
ments of the dei)th, and found that from the top of the 
bank to the water was nineteen feet, and the water, at 
the deepest place, measured twenty-three feet. At that 
time the cavity was almost exactly circular, and was, 
according to the judgment of Mr. Colgan, about sev- 
enty-fi^^e feet in diameter ; the side walls were per- 
pendicular. At the present time the hole is almost 
perfectly circular, and measures two hundred feet in 
diameter. The increase in the diameter has been 
caused by subsequent caving of the banks, and by the 
wash of the rains of many years. The side walls, while 
not now perpendicular, are so precipitous that descent 
is impossible except in one or two places. The ground, 
for one hundred feet l)ack from the hole, shows evi- 
dence of a tendency to cave ; the caving and washing 
have filled the cavity until now the water is but a few 
feet deep at the deepest part, and no doubt subsequent 
cavings will fill it to a point above the water-line. 

Many persons claim to have heard a great rumbling 
and roar, caused by the cave-in of this well. Rut when 



98 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



we consider that the only settlers in Meade County 
at that time resided many miles from this place, too 
far distant to hear any disturbance there may have 
been, if any, which is doubtful, we should politely listen 
to such narrations and give them such credence as other 
fairy tales are entitled to. 

In September, 1879, George B. Allen secured one 
gallon of water from this well, which he evaporated by 
boiling and obtained one quart of salt. 

In the spring of 1880 William Sturgis commercialized 
the salt well in the manufacture of "Meade County 
Solar Salt." The water was pumped from the well by 
windmill into a vat, where it was evaporated by boil- 
ing ; but this method did not prove a success, either 
through lack of knowledge or lack of proper equip- 
ment, as the salt obtained had a dirty, rusty appearance. 
This plan of evaporation. was early abandoned and the 
water allowed to evaporate by the sun's rays, and by 
this method an exceptionallj^ good quality of clean salt 
was secured, which was placed in 50-lb. sacks and sold, 
at the plant, for $1 per cwt. Twenty-two vats, each 
measuring twelve by sixteen feet, were used, and the 
quantity of salt procured was from two thousand to 
two thousand five hundred pounds daily. At this 
time one gallon of water produced one pint of salt. 
After a year or two Mr. Sturgis sold his plant to one 
John Ristrem (spelling not vouched for) who con- 
tinued to operate it for a year or two, and then sus- 
pended operations for the reason that the quantity of 
salt derived from a given volume of water gradually 
decreased until "salt-making" became unprofitable. 
Also, there were no means of transportation except by 



100 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



freight wagons, and the output was always limited to 
the local demand. 

The second year the salt-works were operated what 
was considered a strange phenomenon was observed. 
It had been customary for people to bathe in the well, 
the impossibility of sinking, the ability to float around 
without effort, making this recreation especially de- 
lightful. At this time one who had gone into the 
water for the first time made haste to come out, and 
announced that "the water was scalding." Investi- 
gation proved that while the water at the surface was 
of the ordinal y temperature, at a depth of about two 
feet it was noticeably warmer, and at a depth of five or 
six feet was almost "scalding." The experience of 
bathers ever after was, that the water increased in tem- 
perature with the depth, and this fact gave origin to 
the theory of hot springs under the bed of the well 
and that the hot water escaped upward through some 
orifice. This theory, however, has been proven falla- 
cious. If this were true the difference in temperature 
would be as great, perhaps greater, in winter than in 
summer. But tests have proved that the temperature 
of the surface-water and of water at the bottom of the 
well is practically the same in winter. The true ex- 
planation is that the salt, and other minerals in solu- 
tion, readily absorb the sun's heat, and the heat thus 
absorbed is retained by the lower particles, while the 
particles near the surface give off their heat at night. 
Hence the water near the surface would at no time 
contain more heat than had been absorbed from the 
sun on the given, day, while the lower waters, giving 
off the heat less readily, would retain a portion of every 



THE SALT WKLL. 101 

day's absorpl ion and llius Ixu-onic |)i'(',tiiianl willi sloi'cd 
hoat. 

Tlu> well was a I'aAOiitc I'esort for hallicis up until 
ten or twelve years ag'o, and during' all of that time the 
solution of salt was so j^i'eat that one's body would float 
as readily as would a loii' in ordinary fresh water. 
Various tests have been made to ascertain the amount 
of salt in this water, the per cent varying: considerably 
at different times. It has tested as high as thirty-six 
])er cent, but the amount at the present time is neg- 
ligible. In June. 191 (i, the writer procured two quarts 
of this water. It had a pronounced alkaline taste, but 
on being evaporated by boiling, no salt, nor other 
sediment, remained. What a chemical analysis would 
show I do not know, but, so far as the naked eye could 
discern, the entire volume of these two quarts was 
converted into steam. This water was taken from the 
surface ; it might l)e that a sample taken from the l)ot- 
tom would still disclose the presence of salt. 

The water now stands at practically the same level 
as originally. The shallow water, along the banks, is 
transparently clear, but the deeper parts present a 
dark-green appearance. It sustains no animal or vege- 
table life, save a few insects, except that the writer has 
observed a solitary muskrat disporting, and, apparently, 
enjoying himself therein. 




DRILLING THE WHEAT. 



FARM STATISTICS. 

The t'oUowiiij^- tables show lh{> p()i)ulalion of the 
county by years, and statistics of the principal farm 
products. IVotn IS.Sb to 191.") inclusive : 

1886. -Population, 3,827. 

Acres Product 

Winter \vlu>at ])ii. 504 7,056 

Spring- wlieat " 5 50 

Rye. " 125 1,500 

Corn " 12,151 30;-5,775 

Barley '• 5 100 

Oats " 2,()78 80,340 

Buckwheat " 7 105 

Irish potatoes " 389 29,175 

Sweet potatoes " 90 9,000 

Castor beans '' 61 (510 

Cotton '' 1 300 

Tobacco lbs. 12 7,200 

Broom corn " 47 23,500 

Millet tons 4,617 9,234 

Prairie hay '' 6,968 

Poultry and eggs sold $1,869 

Butter, lbs 1 5,105 

Cheese, lbs 445 

Milk sold S86 

Garden products sold $1,551 

Number 

Horses 1,285 

Mules and asses 406 

Milch cows 938 

Other catt:e 2,325 

Swine 475 

Sheep 1,024 

[103] 



104 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



1887.— Population, 4,407. 

Acres Product 

Winter wheat bu. 797 7,690 

Si)rin<>; wheat " 

(^orii " i;5,()27 204,405 

Oats " 1,874 56,220 

Rye " 124 1,240 

Barley " 101 2,020 

Buckwheat " 8 120 

Irish potatoes " 291 23,280 

Sweet potatoes " 72 7,200 

Castor lieaiis " 6 ()0 

Cotton lbs. 2 500 

Flax bu. 1 10 

Tobacco lbs. 5 3,000 

Broom corn " 27 16,200 

Millet .tons 5,577 11,154 

Prairie hay " 4,030 

(Jiifiiilih/ \'(ilue 

Poultry and eogs sold S3,994 . 00 

Wool clip lbs. 3,170 570.60 

Cheese " 300 36.00 

Butter 34,698 5,204.70 

Milk sold 132.00 

Horticultural product:; marketed 65.00 

(larden pi'oducts marketed 3,667.00 

N utiilH-r 

Horses 1-651 

Mules and asses ■ 508 

Milch cows 1,476 

Other cattle 4,254 

Sheep 857 

Swine 1 , 1 52 

1888. POI'TLATIOX, 4,5()1. 

Acres Proiliici 

Wiiiler wheat l)u. 133 2,394 

Si)rini2; wheat 



FARM STATLSTICS. ICo 



Acres I'ro.'liirt 

C oni Ini. 1(5,")()U 165, (iOO 

Oats " 3,891 97,275 

Rye " 95 1,140 

l^arley " 25 125 

Buckwheat " 4 (iO 

Irish potatoes " ;-;i5 12,(i()() 

Sweet iiotatoes " 144 S,()40 

Castor l)eans " 38 190 

('otton lbs 

Flax bu. 149 745 

Tobacco Il)s. 5 :-5,0()() 

Broom corn " 484 217,0()() 

Millet tons 8,030 10,072 

Prairie hay " 5,828 

(Jud/ih'l// V III lie 

Poultry and e.ti^s sold $4,234.00 

Wool clip 

Cheese lbs. 481 57 . 72 

Butter " 65,461 11,782.98 

Milk sold 2,554.00 

Horticultural products; marketed . 

(Jarden products marketed 2,415,00 

A' unihcr 

Horses 1,927 

Mules and asses 008 

Milch cows 1 ,897 

Other cattle 5,294 

Sheep I,7t9 

Swine 1,7 6 



I'roduvl 
40,032 
450 
125,800 
51,528 
10,044 





1889. 


POIT 


L.VTION, 


3,59(). 

Acres 


Winter wheat . . . 






])U. 


3,33() 


Spring wheat . . . 








45 


Corn 






11 


12,580 
2,712 


Oats 






u 


R ve 






a 


558 



l()(i HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Acres Product 

Barley bu. 76 1,900 

Buckwheat " 17 255 

Irish potatoes " 187 3,740 

Sweet potatoes " 132 6,600 

Castor beans " 161 966 

Flax " 111 999 

Cotton lbs. 4 1,200 

Tobacco " 3 1,800 

Broom corn " 359 215,400 

Millet tons 4,260 8,452 

Prairie hay " 4,140 

Poultry and eggs $3,659 

Butter, lbs 59,043 

Milk sold S905 

Wool clip, lbs 7,890 

Garden products sold $1,078 

Horticultural $1,400 

N^UDihcr 

Horses 1,499 

Mules and asses 411 

Milch cows 2,308 

Other cattle 5,508 

Swine 1,007 

Sheej) 652 

1890.— Population, 2,651. 

Acres Producl 

Winter wheat bu. 2,779 27,790 

Spring wheat " 208 1,540 

(k)rn " 189 945 

Oats " 1,256 12,560 

Rye " 730 8,760 

Barley " 

Buckwheat " 3 18 

Irish i)()tatoes " 132 1,320 

Sweet ])otatoes " 46 1,400 

Castor l)eans " 292 1 ,460 



KAUAI STATISTICS. iO] 



. 1 ' /v x Producl 

Flax 1)11. 109 654 

( 'ottoii lbs 

'rol)a('C() " 

Broom corn " 327 81,750 

M\\\v\ tons 2,21 2 2,212 

Prairio liay " 4,708 

Poultry and ctii-s $4,831 

Butter, lbs ■ 51,042 

Milk sold 

Wool clii), lbs 5,900 

Garden i)r()du('ts sold $1,202 

Plorticultural 

N It lithe r 

Horse; 1,323 

Mules and ass(>s 256 

Milch cows 1,927 

Other cattle 8,297 

Swine 1,400 

Shec]) 1 ,467 

1891. -Population, 1,831. 

Winter wheat l)u. 

Sprinfi; wlieat " 

Corn '' 

Oatfi.; " 

Rye " 

Buckwheat " 

Irish potatoes " 

Sweet potatoes " 

Castor beans '' 

Cotton lbs. 

Flax bu. 

Broom corn ll)s. 

Millet tons 

Alfalfa " 

Prairie hav " 



.1 fVY'N 


Proihtcl 


7,714 


100,282 


52 


624 


3,540 


88,500 


590 


17,700 


21() 


6,048 


35 


2,275 


10 


1,000 


41 


369 


1 


250 


21 


168 


204 


81,600 


1,287 


1,930 


240 


73 




2,959 



108 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

(JiKinlili/ ^'(lllH' 

Poultry and egRs sold $2,523 . 00 

Wool clip ll)s. 0,320 1,677 . 60 

Cheese " 2,045 224.95 

Butter " 49,281 7,392. 15 

J^Iilksuld 240.00 

Garden products marketed 1,576.00 

Horticultural jiroducts marketed. ... 16.00 

X umber 

Horses 1,432 

Mules and asses 201 

Milch cows 1,447 

Other cattk^ 8,536 

Sheep 2,100 

Swine 1,026 

1892. --Population, 2,028. 

Acres P roil act 

Winter wheat bu. 8,773 158,1 14 

Spring wheat " 390 4,()80 

Corn " 4,213 25,278 

Oats " 964 23,136 

Rye " 3,269 98,070 

Buckwheat " 11 110 

Irish potatoes "' 63 1,890 

Sweet potatoes " 5 200 

Castor l)(>ans " ....... 

Cotton ll)s 

Flax l)u 

Broom corn lbs. 382 114,600 

Millet tons 1,841 1,841 

Alfalfa " 627 2,380 

Prairie hay " 4,822 

QiKiiilily Value 

Poultry and esji,s sold $2,465.00 

Wool clip lbs. 15,010 2,551.70 

Cheese " 2,787 306.57 



F.Mi.M SI AllSTK'S. 10'.) 



Butter 


(^ 11(1)1 till/ 
. . . lbs. 35,807 


Vdluc 

^'5,371.05 


Milk s')l(l 




34.00 


(uirden products marketed 




1,955.00 


Horticultural products marketeil 
Horses 




6,273 . 00 

X uinhir 

] ,532 


Mules and asses 




170 


Milch cows 




.. 1,134 


Other cattle 




9,088 


Sheep 

Swine 




1,911 




785 


1893.-P()PiL 

^^'inte|• wheat 

Spring' wheat 

Corn 


ATIOX, 2J)4S. 

.1 r/T.s 

, ...bu. 15,299 

... " 250 

4,556 


Prodmi 
16,518 


Oats 

Rve 


. . . •' 934 
" 2,379 


7,472 
11,895 
49,400 


Barle\- 


. . . . " 4,940 

.... " 51 

, ... " 16 

.ll)s. 829 


Irish ])otatoes 

Sweet potatoes 

Broom coi-n 


1,020 

800 

207,250 


Millet 


. . . .tons 816 
" 465 


816 
1,395 


Kaffir corn . . 


1,210 


2,420 


Jerusalem corn. . ... 


60 


90 


Alfalfa 

Prairie ha v 


. . . . •• 896 


1,494 
3,932 


Milk sold 


(JldUllilt/ 


Vdliic 


Poultry and eggs ;; )l(l 

Wool cli]) 

Cheese 

Butter 


. ...lbs. 13,297 
. . . . '• 3,080 
•• 40,414 


.$2,552.00 

2, 127.. 52 

338.80 

6,466 . 24 

1,783.00 

35 . 00 


Garden i)roducts mai'keted 

Horticultural Di'oducts 





110 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Number 

Horses 2,106 

Mules and asses 215 

Milch cows 1,202 

Other cattle 10,653 

Sheep 2,184 

Swine 862 

1894.— Population, 2,025. 

Acres I'rDiluct 

Winter wheat bu. 20,492 64,547 

Spring wheat " 17 

Corn " 1,655 

Oats " 310 1,807 

Rye " 1,811 14,488 

Barley " 2,951 35,412 

Irish potatoes " 48 1,920 

Sweet potatoes " 6 522 

Broom corn lbs. 150 45,000 

Millet tons 444 222 

Milo maize " 215 2,150 

Kaffir corn " 2,507 25,070 

Jerusalem corn " 15 150 

Alfalfa " 958 1,478 

Prairie hay " 4,448 

Quant it// Value 

Milk sold $125.00 

Poultry and eggs sold 2,537 . 00 

Wool clip lbs. 13,065 1,698.45 

Cheese " 2,815 337.80 

Butter " 42,809 6,849.44 

Oarden products marketed 1,01().00 

Horticultural products 

\ umber 

Horses 2,339 

Mules and asses 167 

Milch cows 1,154 

Other cattle 6,305 

Sheep 3,152 

Swine 765 



KAKiM STATISTICS. 1 I 1 



1895. — Population, 1,741. 

.If/Y-.v I'nxlucI 

Winter whout 1)U. l(i,093 32,1,S() 

Spriiia; wheat " 138 

Corn " 3,()<)4 21,648 

Oats " 421 5,052 

Hyo " 2,341 11,705 

Barley " 4,348 ()!),5(iS 

Hiu-kwheat " 40 100 

Irish potatoes " 59 1,770 

Sweet potatoes " 27 1,020 

Cotton lbs. 10 8,000 

Flax bu. 6 24 

Tobacco lbs. 2 1,400 

Broom corn " 235 117,500 

Millet tons 324 324 

Sorghum for syru]j gals. 49 1,960 

Milo maize tons 240 720 

Kaffir corn " 1,944 5,832 

Jerusalem corn " 30 90 

Alfalfa " 1,117 2,060 

Prairie hay " 13,086 

(/luiutiti/ Vdliiv 

Poultry and eggs sold $1,411 .00 

Wool clip lbs. 27,900 2,51 1 . 00 

Cheese " 2,769 290.75 

Butter " 42,009 5,461 . 17 

Milk sold 42.00 

Garden products marketed 2,771 .00 

Horticultural products marketed. ... 171 .00 

N amber 

Horses 1,926 

Mules and asses 133 

IMilch cows 1,030 

Other cattle 7,115 

Sheep 5,550 

Swine 713 



112 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

1896. — Population, 1,651. 

Acrea Product 

Winter wheat hu. .S,954 17,908 

Spring wheat " 43 

Corn " 2,025 10,125 

Oats " 548 3,288 

Rye " 1,196 5,980 

Barley " 4,915 12,045 

Buckwheat " 5 

Irish potatoes " 91 910 

Sweet potatoes '' 13 

Cotton lbs 

Flax l)u. 7 

Tobacco lb:; 

Broom corn " 139 41,700 

Alillet tons 782 261 

Sorghum for syrup gals. 40 2,000 

Milo maize t'nis 160 320 

Kaffir corn '• 2,517 5,034 

.Jerusalem corn " 35 35 

Alfalfa " 1,577 2,321 

Prairie hay " 6,234 

(Judiitih/ Valup 

Poultry and eggs sold ii;2,182.00 

Wool clip 11 )s. 32,727 2,945 . 43 

Cheese " 2,932 234 . 56 

Butter •• 38,233 4,205.63 

Milk s)l<l 

(larden jM-oductr; marketed 2,375.00 

Horticultural products marketed. ... 181.00 

X iniilx r 

Horses 2,531 

Mules and asses 145 

Milch cows 1,109 

Oiher c.iUle 9,343 

She(>p 6,269 

Swine 704 



farm statistics. 113 

1897.— Population, 1,56G 

Winter wheat bu. 

Spring wheat '' 

Corn. " 

Oats " 

Rye " 

Barley " 

Buckwheat " 

Irish i)()tatoes " 

Swe(>t potatoes •. " 

Castor beans " 

Broom corn lbs. 

Millet tons 

Sorghum fsyrup) gals. 

Milo maize tons 

Kaffir corn '' 

Alfalfa " 

Prairie ha>' " 

Poultry and eggs sold $1,944 

Butter, lbs 37,309 

Cheese, ll)s 1,975 

Milk sold $58 

Wool clip, ll)s 27,300 

Garden ])roducts sold $710 

Horticultural $310 

N^ umber 

Horses 2,2()9 

Mules and asses 116 

Milch cows 876 

Other cattle 11,407 

Swine 55 1 

Sheep 3,220 



,566. 




.4 arcs 


I'nxlurl 


3,313 


39,756 


2,280 


22,800 


259 


4,144 


444 


5,328 


1,749 


34,980 


5 


50 


17 


765 


9 


540 


1 


5 


40 


17,000 


952 


1,666 


352 


17,600 


187 


701 


2,418 


9,067 


1,286 


8,055 




4,121 





1898. 


—Population, 1,562. 








Acres 


Proihirl 


Winter wheat. . . 




bu. .5,805 


46,440 


Spi'ing wheat . . . 




" 12 


60 



1 ,526 


19,838 


433 


6,495 


1,112 


11,120 


3,107 


77,675 



114 HI8TORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

A c/T.s Pnidnct 

Corn 1)U. 

Oats " 

Rye " 

Barley " 

Buckwheat " 

Irish potatoes " 36 1,800 

Sweet potatoes " 12 600 

Castor beans " 

Broom corn lbs. 25 10,000 

Millet tons 1,067 2,134 

Sorghum (syru])) gals. 58 2,900 

Milo maize tons 62 217 

Kaffir corn " 2,501 6,878 

Alfalfa " 2,323 12,103 

Prairie hay " 7,224 

Poultry and eggs sold $2,582 

Butter, lbs 36,975 

Cheese, lbs 5,395 

Milk sold $102 

Wool cHp, lbs 21,049 

Garden products sold $959 

Horticult- ral $684 

Horses 2,568 

Mules and asses 127 

Milch cows 1,396 

Other cattle 20,545 

Swine 635 

Sheep 3,937 





1899. 


— POPIILATION, 


1. 


,541. 




Winlcr wheat . . . 




bu. 




.Ir/T.s 

5,113 


20,452 


S]iring wheat. . . 
( \n\\ 




:; 




6 

1 ,526 

210 


18 

22,890 

4,200 


Oats 




<> 



FAIUI S TA'tlSlK S. 1 15 



A crcs 


I'nid u(i 


316 


2,212 


4,357 


43,570 


16 


960 


5 


250 


35 


10,500 


1,483 


2,<)()6 


45 


1 ,800 


70 


140 


3,485 


10,455 


2,385 


12,524 




8,220 



Rye 1)U. 

Barley " 

Irish potatoes " 

Sweet potato(>s " 

Broom corn lbs. 

Millet tons 

Sorj>;huin (syni])) gals. 

Milo maize tons 

Kaffir corn " 

Alfalfa " 

l^rairie hay " 

Poultry and e.ii.tis s)l(l $2,460 

Butter, lbs 27,960 

Milk sold $240 

Wool clip, lbs 25,600 

(^heese, lbs 3,400 

(Jarden products s )ld $1,269 

Horticultural, sold $125 

.\ ninber 

Horses 2,793 

Mules and asses 162 

Milch cows 976 

Other cattle 24,525 

Swine 930 

Sheep 4,755 

1900.— Population, 1,.521. 

Acres Prod lie 

Winter wheat 1 

Sprins; wheat 

( 'orn 

Oats 

Kye 

Barley 

Irish potatoes 

Sweet potatoes 



3,884 


69,912 


30 


300 


2,068 


14,476 


146 


2,774 


49 


()86 


2,560 


71,680 


21 


1,239 


6 


390 



.4 cres 


Product 


10 


2,750 


2,080 


3,120 


23 


1,150 


63 


158 


4,900 


12,250 


2,317 


13,869 




5,493 



IIG HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



Broom corn lbs. 

Millet tons 

Sorghum (syrup) gals. 

Milo maize tons 

Kaffir corn " 

Alfalfa " 

Prairie hay " 

Poultry and eggs sold $3,178 

Butter, lbs 28,784 

Milk sold $160 

Wool clip, lbs 18,700 

Cheese, lbs 1,200 

Garden products sold $717 

Horticultural products sold $107 

Number 

Horses 2,735 

Mules and asses 174 

Milch cows 1,088 

Other cattle 24,000 

Swine 956 

Sheep 4,317 

1901. — Population, 

Winter wheat bu. 

Spring wheat " 

Corn " 

Oats " 

Rye " 

Barley " 

Irish potatoes " 

Sweet potatoes " 

Broom corn lbs. 

Sorglium gali' 

Milh^t tons 

Milo maiz(^ 



1,526. 




Acres 


Product 


7,194 


86,328 


28 


196 


1,857 


5,571 


281 


5,058 


602 


5,418 


3,419 


58,123 


20 


740 


13 


741 


70 


28,000 


4. 5,500 




s 1,099 


1,099 


59 


118 



FARM STATISTICS. 117 



Acres Product 

Kaffir corn tons 5,458 5,458 

Jerusalem " 15 30 

Alfalfa " 3,296 8,906 

Prairie hay " 7,502 

Poultry aiul e^gs S4,183 

Butter, Ihs 35,960 

Milk sold $11 

Wool clip, ll)s 20,400 

Honey and beeswax, lbs 40 

Garden products sold $1,565 

Horticultural $390 

Number 

Horses 2,886 

Mules and asses 132 

Milch cows 984 

Other cattle 27,185 

Swine 820 

Sheep 2,183 

1902.— Population, 1,573. 

Acres Product 

Winter wheat bu. 11,219 67,314 

Spring wheat " 

Corn " 3,430 41,160 

Oats " 143 3,146 

Rye " 1,265 . 8,855 

Barley " 2,804 58,884 

Irish potatoes " 9 720 

Sweet potatoes " 

Broom corn lbs. 5 1,500 

Sorghum gals. 5,034 ...... 

Millet tons 403 605 

Milo maize " 175 525 

Kaffir corn " 4,562 13,686 

Jerusalem " 42 126 

Alfalfa - 3,432 11,807 

Prairie hav " 4,257 



118 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

Poultry and ('j2;j>;s $4,201 

Butter, lbs 35,247 

Milk sold $385 

Wool clip, lbs 13,000 

Honey and beeswax, lbs 

Garden i^roducts sold $1,799 

Horticultural 

Number 

Horses 2,756 

Mules and asses 132 

Milch cows 825 

Other cattle 27,400 

Swine 002 

She(>i) 4,736 

1903.— Population, 1,592. 

Acres I'roditcl 

Winter wheat bu. 11,489 206,802 

Sprinjj; wheat 

( 'orn 

Oats 

Rye 

Barley 

Irish jjotatoes 

Sweet potatoes 

Buckwheat 

Flax 

Broom corn lbs. 

Sorjiihuni (syrup) S^ls. 

Millet tons 

Milo maize 

Kaffir corn 

Jerusalem 

Alfalfa 

Prairie hay 

Pouhry and e.n'gs s)ld $5,173 

Butter, lbs 30.()11 



40 


560 


1,792 


17,920 


308 


7,392 


743 


9,659 


4,628 


138,840 


21 


1,470 


24 


1,800 


27 


162 


.s. 38 


2,660 


IS 588 


1,176 


156 


312 


4,378 


8,756 


10 


20 


5,02() 


13,907 




5,948 



FARM STATISTICS. 119 

Milk sold $785 

Wool clip, lbs 12,000 

Honey and hccswax, ll)s 10 

(!ar(l(Mi products sold SI, 1()5 

llt)i-ticultural 

Xumhrr 

Hors(>s 2,77() 

Mules and asses 129 

Milch cows 1,003 

Other cattle 24,548 

Swine 777 

Slieep. . . : 1,470 

1904.- PoPULATiox, 2,102. 

Acres I'rdiliict 

Winter wheat bu. 18,4.50 3(),9()() 

S[)riiig wheat " 

Corn " 

Oats " 

Rye " 

Barley " 

Irish potatoes " 

Sweet potatoes " 

Buckwheat " 

Flax " 

Broom corn lbs. 

Sorghum (syrup) gals. 

Millet tons 

Milo maize " 

Kaffir corn '' 

.Jerusalem " 

Alfalfa " 

Prairie hay " 

Poultry and eggs sold .'$7,530 

Butter, lbs 38,401 

Milk sold Sl,214 



478 


1,912 


1 ,286 


19,290 


507 


2,.535 


1,015 


8,120 


8,368 


100,416 


29 


1,508 


4 


260 


38 


190 


4 


20 


127 


38,100 


30 


2.100 


315 


315 


182 


364 


4,906 


9,812 


22 


44 


6,348 


16,506 




4,957 



120 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

Wool clip, lbs 15,000 

Honey and beeswax, lbs 100 

Garden products sold $1,450 

Horticultural $154 

Number 

Horses 3,360 

Mules and asses 216 

Milch cows 1,129 

Other cattle 29,805 

Swine 1,177 

Sheep. 1,850 

1905.— Population, 2,187. 

Acres Product 

Winter wheat l)u. 28,360 368,680 

Spring wheat " 1,240 12,400 

Corn " 1,591 25,456 

Oats " 735 13,965 

Rye " 412 4,532 

Barley " 10,203 256,075 

Irish potatoes " 58 3,480 

Sweet potatoes " 6 198 

Broom corn lbs. 125 56,250 

Sorghum gals. 5,379 

Millet tons 987 987 

Milo maize " 277 514 

Kaffir corn " 5,367 10,734 

Jerusalem '' 83 166 

Alfalfa. " 8,422 13,600 

Prairie hay " 6,834 

Flax bu 

Poultry and eggs $7,673 

Butter, lbs 51,327 

Milk sold $2,665 

Wool clip, lbs 

Honey and beeswax, lbs 299 



FARM STATISTICS. 121 



Number 

Horses 3,572 

Mules and asses 214 

Milch cows 1,:W() 

Other cattle 28,002 

Swme 1,525 

Sheep 1,701 

1906. — Population, 2,574. 

/l(7T.s' 1' roil net 

Winter wheat Ini. 24,186 338,004 

Spring wheat " 1,278 16,614 

Corn " 1,675 41,875 

Oats " 612 14,688 

Rye " 362 4,344 

Barley '' 10,049 211,029 

Irish potatoes " 51 3,723 

Sweet potatoes " 10 560 

Broom corn " 194 87,300 

Sorghum gals. 4,787 

Millet tons 561 1,122 

Milo maize " 785 2,747 

Kaffir corn '' 6,081 21,283 

Jerusalem " 20 70 

Alfalfa '' 10,570 17,562 

Prairie hay '' 4,743 

Flax bu. 3 24 

Poultry and eggs $1 1 , 17(5 

Butter, lbs 49,326 

Milk sold $2,137 

Wool clip, lbs 1,100 

Honey and beeswax, lbs 

Number 

Horses 3,716 

Mules and asses 263 

Milch cows 1 ,355 

Other cattle 22,768 

Swine 1 ,484 

Sheep 1,001 



122 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY 



Acre a 


Product 


50,409 


504,090 


4,063 


32,504 


6,796 


169,900 


1,480 


23,680 


193 


1,544 


13,358 


173,654 


90 


5,220 


6 


540 


5 


1,375 



1907.— Population, 3,430. 

Winter wheat bu. 

Spring wheat 

Corn 

Oats " 

Rye " 

Barley 

Speltz " 

Buckwheat 

Irish potatoes 

Sweet potatoes 

Cotton lbs- 
Flax bu 

Tobacco lbs 

Broom corn " 420 189,000 

Millet tons 1,002 1,503 

Sugar ])eets " 

Sorghum (syru|)) gals. 18 1,260 

Milo maize tons 1,336 3,340 

Kaffir corn " 9,652 24,130 

Alfalfa " 9,080 19,638 

Prairie hay " 3,869 

Poultry and eggs sold $17,041 

Butter, lbs 55,995 

Honey and beeswax, ll)s 348 

Milk sold *2,331 

N'unibcr 

Horses 4,326 

Mules and asses 400 

Milk cows 1,595 

Other cattle 18,556 

Swine 2,317 

Sheep "!<) 



FARM STATISTICS. 12:^) 

1908. -POI'ULATION, 4,3()(). 

\\iiitcr wlicat bu. 

Sprin,!:; wheat " 

Corn " 

Oats " 

Ryo " 

Barley " 

Spcltz " 

Buekwlieat " 

Irish potatoes " 

Sweet potatoes " 

Cotton lbs. 

Flax 1)U. 

Tobacco ll)s. 

Broom corn '' 

Millet tons 

Sugar beets " 

Sorghum (syrup) gals. 

Milo maize tons 

Kaffir corn " 

Alfalfa " 

Prairie hay " 

\'alu( 

Poultry and eggs sold S17,064 

Butter, l]>s 57,713 

Honey and beeswax, 11 )s 55 

Milk sold .i;2,793 

Horses 4,779 

Mules and asses 022 

Milk cows 1,885 

Other cattl(> 17,481 

Swine 5,900 

She(>i) ■ 8 



.1 errs 


I'rail iirl 


.53, 330 


2()(),()50 


073 


2,093 


14,453 


144,530 


2,839 


22,712 


193 


1,351 


10,782 


53,910 


(ilO 


(),10() 


•) 


20 


100 


8,000 


9 


(i75 


5 


25 


1 


150 


332 


99,000 


1 ,520 


1,520 


20 


40 


231 


13,860 


2,707 


6,767 


14,089 


35,222 


9,888 


14,834 




4,168 



124 



HISTORY OP" MEADE COUNTY. 



1909.— Population, 4,594. 

Acres Product 

Winter wheat bu. 62,646 563,814 

Spring wheat " 290 1,780 

Corn '' 17,058 85,290 

Oats " 3,379 40,548 

Rye " 158 1,422 

Barley " 6,789 67,980 

Speltz " 1,397 16,764 

Buckwheat " 72 576 

Irish potatoes " 47 2,585 

Cotton " 

Broom corn lbs. 725 253,750 

Millet tons 1,910 2,865 

Sugar beets " 2 18 

Sorghum (syrup) gals. 138 6,900 

Milo maize tons 7,328 10,992 

Kaffir corn " 15,595 23,392 

Alfalfa : " 10,964 14,233 

Prairie hay . " 3,722 

Value 

Poultry and eggs sold $18,694 

Butter, lbs 63,912 

Milk sold $3,258 

Honey and beeswax, lbs 275 

Nutnher 

Horses 4,648 

Mules and asses 678 

Milch cows 1,899 

Other cattle 15,567 

Swine 6,260 

Sheep 93 

1910.~PopULATioN, 4,872. 

.Ic/T.s Proiu.cl 

Winter wheat bu. 73,263 732,630 

Spring wheat ' 546 4,8j0 

Corn " 10,964 109,640 



FARM STATISTICS. 125 

.1 cres Prodnrl 

Oats bu. 7,903 120,448 

Hyo " 396 3,9()() 

Barley " 9,081 154,377 

Speltz " 2,131 36,227 

Buckwheat " 10 90 

Irish potatoes " 388 29,100 

(\)tton " 3 600 

Broom corn lbs. 2,183 818,62.") 

Millet tuns 1,759 2,931 

Sugar beets " 

v'^orghuni (syru]i) gals. 9 450 

Milo maize tons 5,586 13,965 

Kaffir corn " 11,356 34,068 

Alfalfa " 11,275 11,146 

Prairie hay " 3,930 

Vdluv 

Poultry and eggs sold $19,747 

Butter, lbs 79,230 

Milk sold $3,390 

Honey and beeswax, lbs 100 

Number 

Horses 4,923 

Mules and asses 708 

Milch cows 1,918 

Other cattle 13,936 

Swine 3,782 

Sheep 283 

1911. — Population, 5,171. 

Acres Pnxlurl 

Winter wheat bu. 29,857 119,428 

Spring wheat " 694 1,388 

Corn " 18,040 234,520 

Oats " 9,154 119,032 

Rye " 365 3,285 

Barley " 12,145 133,595 



126 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

Acres I'roihir 

Speltz l>u. 1,332 7,992 

Irish potatoes " 111 3,774 

Sweet pot \toes " 8 504 

Broom orn ll)s. 604 232,540 

Millet tons 1 ,092 1,638 

Sorghum for s yruj) gals. 66 3,960 

iVIilo maize tons 1 1,057 27,643 

Kaffir corn " 17,992 53,976 

Jerusalem corn " 93 279 

Alfalfa " 11,863 12,836 

Prairie hay " 3,261 

Qiittntity Value 

Poultry and (>ggs sold !|26,667 . 00 

Wool chp lbs. 2,748 467. 16 

Cheese " 220 28.60 

Butter " 108,414 26,019.36 

Milk sold 6,303.00 

Honey and beesw l.\ lbs. 120 18 . 00 

X iiinhcr 

Horses 6,050 

Mules and asses 1,015 

Milch cows 4,883 

Other Cattle 9,039 

Sheep 748 

Swine 3,803 

1912. Population, 5,196. 

Acres Product 

Winter wheat bu. 103,889 124,668 

Spring wheat " 160 1,()00 

Corn " 5,936 136,528 

Oats " 3,095 86,660 

Rye " 58 580 

Barley " 7,008 154,176 

Speltz " 312 6,552 

Irish potatoes " 93 9,207 



FARM STA TISTK S. 127 

.Ir/T.s I' rod net 

Sweet potatoes 1)U. 4 )U() 

Broom com IWs. 1 ,24:^ 4<)7,20() 

Millet tons 1 :^T^1 2;.^) 

Sorghum for syrup ,a;als. 799 .")9,92o 

Milo maiz(> tons 8,347 1(),()94 

Kaffir corn " 1 8,805 -){S,^^ 

Jerusalem coi-n " 20 00 

Alfalfa " 9,480 14,991 

Prairie hay " 2,541 

(Juiinlili/ \'ulue 

Poultry and eii<is sohl $24,103.00 

Wool clip lbs. 500 100 . 00 

Cheese " 

Butter " 80,580 21,040. 50 

Milk sold 11,251.00 

Honey and beeswax lbs. 220 33 . 00 

Nionber 

Horses 0,390 

Mules and asses 1,113 

Milch cows 0,904 

Other cattle 9,872 

Sheep 702 

Swine 3,517 

1913.— Pom LATioN, 5.1 10. 

Acres I 'roil lid 

Winter wheat bu. 22,990 91 ,900 

Spring wheat " 104 

Corn " 15,341 30,092 

Oats " 8,933 20,799 

Rye " 00 198 

Barley " 11/212 44,848 

Speltz " 47 

Irish potatoes " 04 2,170 

Sweet potatoes " 

Broom corn lbs. 550 82.500 



128 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

.1 cres Product 

Millet tons 911 911 

Milo " 16,291 12,218 

Kaffir " 30,857 23,143 

Feterita 

Alfalfa " 7,468 9,164 

Prairie hay " 3,985 

Value 

Poultry and eggs sold $26,152 

Butter, lbs 65,528 

Milk sold $15,159 

Cheese, lbs 175 

Number 

Horses 5,762 

Mules and asses 1,492 

Milch cows 6,321 

Other cattle 11,238 

Swine 2,050 

Sheep 157 

1914,— Population, 5,044. 

^4 cres Product 

Winter wheat bu. 102,984 1,853,712 

Spring wheat " 

Corn " 4,219 67,504 

Oats " 3,610 108,300 

Rye " 381 6,096 

Barley " 6,123 134,706 

Speltz '' 25 625 

Irish potatoes " 52 2,600 

Sweet potatoes " 2 124 

Broom corn ll)s. 227 90,800 

Millet tons 443 664 

Milo " 7,327 18,318 

Kaffir " 16,563 49,689 

Feterita " 4,533 11,333 

Alfalfa " 7,474 21,247 

Prairie hav " 1,796 



FARM STATISTICS. 129 



Value 

Poultry and cfigs sold $26,326 

Butter, ll)s 54,568 

Milk sold $25,135 

Cheese, lbs 210 

.V umber 

Horses 6,220 

Mules and asses 1 ,31 1 

Milch cows 69,605 

Other cattle 9,950 

Swine 2,361 

Sheep 183 

1915. — Population, 5,276. 

Acres Product 

Winter wheat bu. 107,608 1,614,120 

Spring wheat " 206 2,472 

Corn " 4,127 119,683 

Oats " 4,762 133,336 

Rye " 506 7,084 

Barley " 8,801 220,025 

Irish potatoes " 40 4,000 

Sweet potatoes " 1 100 

Cowpeas tons 15 22 

Alfalfa " 9,593 28,779 

Broom corn lbs. 274 123,300 

Jerusalem corn " 285 855 

Feterita " 8,527 No record 

Sweet clover " 40 No record 

Prairie hay " 5,195 

Qudutili/ \'(ilue 

Poultry and eggs sold $2,534,506 .47 

Wool clip lbs. 1,072 235.84 

Cheese " 350 52.50 

Butter " 63,355 15,838 . 75 

Milk sold 31,569.00 

Honey and beeswax lbs. 500 70.00 



130 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

Number 

Horses ' , 6,639 

Mules and asses 1,530 

Milch cows 9,176 

Other cattle 18,553 

Sheep 182 

Swine 4,714 

The 1916 census gave Meade County a population 
of 6,053. 



THE^OLD CALABOOSE. 

(I have not been able to find anyone who would vouch for tlie lii.storical 
accuracy of tliis chapter. This story was sus^;(\ste(l l)y the old calaboose it- 
self, and if the incidents related did not actually occiu-, no doubt a true re- 
cital of the facts would be even more interestiiifj; and more startling.) 

Standing in the rear of a modern building facing 
Main street, and used as a storeroom for various odds 
and ends, is a small old weather-worn building of pecu- 
liar construction, a glance at which excites one's curi- 
osity and impels a closer examination. In dimensions 
it is about twelve by sixteen feet, eight feet high in 
front and sloping to six feet in the rear. It is built of 
pine boards, or planks, two inches thick and eight 
inches wide, commonly known as 2x8's, laid flatwise 
one upon the other and spiked together, forming a 
solid wall eight inches thick. In one end is a window 
about twelve by fourteen inches, iron-barred, giving 
the structure the appearance of a prison. And a 
prison it is — or was. In the early days, when the city 
was composed largely of saloons and dance-halls, and 
infested by cowboys, gamblers, and bad men and 
women, it served as the "bastile" in which were im- 
prisoned temporarily the murderer, the cow-thief, the 
drunkard, the common bum, and in fact all who for 
any reason came within the grasp of the strong arm of 
the law — the law as administered by the Justice Court 
of Hiram Smith, J. P. 

In those wild days, when drunkenness, carousing, 
gambling, thieving and kindred crimes and misde- 

[131] 



132 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

meanors were coninion, and murder was by no means 
uncommon, many of the leading citizens, and many 
officers of the law, sought to court favor with the "bad 
men" by closing eyes to many of the lesser crimes and 
brawls. But there were some who loyally and stead- 
fastly stood for law and order, and demanded prompt 
and efficient enforcement of law, and speedy and ade- 
quate punishment for law-breakers. 

Among those who talked most and loudest for law 
enforcement, and who did much to subdue the law- 
less element, and was one of those who were most 
active in originating the crusade which ultimately drove 
out the saloon, dance-hall and other houses of vice and 
iniquity, was Joseph Randall. He publicly and vigor- 
ously condemned vice and immorality in whatsoever 
form it was manifested ; he was a pillar of the church, 
and, if one were to take his word for it, a righteous man 
and one without sin. He it was who headed the sub- 
scription list by which funds were raised to build the 
calaboose to which the reader is introduced in the first 
paragraph. And it is the irony of fate that he was the 
first inmate, being confined therein for seventy-two 
hours, awaiting a requisition from the Governor, under 
which he was taken back to Ohio to face trial on a charge 
of bigamy, of which offense he was duly convicted. 

Of this and many other things connected with the old 
calaboose I learned from an old-timer to whom I ap- 
plied for information concerning the early history of 
the town. 

It was here, my informant told me, that Sam Howell 
and Bill Evans were confined while awaiting their pre- 
liminary examination on a charge of holding up an ex- 




MAKING HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES. 



134 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



press wagon and killing the driver. Across the street 
still stands the old building in which Justice Smith 
held court and bound them over for trial ; and yonder, 
a half-mile away, still stands the lone tree on which 
they were hanged, the populace having decided to 
waive the formality and expense of a trial by jury, and 
incidentally to guard against a possible miscarriage of 
justice. 

It was in this selfsame prison that the eastern dude, 
whose name my informant had forgotten, was confined, 
charged with having stolen Pete Stringer's horse. In 
those days murder was sometimes condoned, but horse- 
stealing, never. And my informant related how in the 
dusk of evening a mob was formed for the purpose of 
lynching the aforesaid dude. Urged on by Pete, and 
emboldened by liberal potations, a crowd of about 
twenty armed cowboys, bad, courageous and desperate 
men, secured a rope and marched en masse from the 
Red Dragon Saloon to the calaboose, with the avowed 
intention of wreaking vengeance and ridding the coun- 
try of "one more hoss-thief." At the door of the 
bastile, however, they encountered "Banta" Sims, the 
diminutive, bowlegged City Marshal, who had drawn 
a dead-line twenty feet in front of the building, and, 
with a six-shooter in each hand and determination in 
his mien, he informed the "committee" that he was the 
custodian of that jail and the guardian of the peace 
and dignity of the city ; that the accused should have 
a fair and impartial trial by a jury of his peers, and that 
he, "Banta," would shoot the first "galoot" who set 
foot across the dead-line. 

The crowd knew "Banta" and grumblingly retired, 



THE OLD CALABOOSE. 135 



and the ease ag:ainst the dude was afterwards dis- 
missed, Pete having found his horse in a neighboring 
pasture, whither it had strayed. 

He tohl nie of the evening when Ike Lewis and Dan 
Pillsbury rode their horses into the Blue Crane Saloon 
and shot out the lights. Ike was arrested and thrown 
into the "cooler," but Dan, although the Marshal had 
emptied his gun at him when he refused to halt, rode 
away, but returned later in the night, shot the lock 
off the prison door, liberated his pal, and they both es- 
caped to their ranch in No Man's Land, from which 
point, a few days later, Dan sent the Marshal two dol- 
lars to pay for the lock he had broken. 

He told me how Mike Winters had been arrested 
and thrown in, for no worse crime than that of wrap- 
ping his billiard cue around the hand of an innocent 
bystander, and how the Marshal had forgotten to 
search him, and the next morning he was gone, having 
with his hunting-knife dug his way out beneath the 
walls. After this a cement floor was placed in the 
building, to guard against another such jail-breaking. 

He related an incident of three gamblers who were ar- 
rested for plying their vocation, and sentenced each 
to thirty days in jail. A few days later the Mayor 
decided to pardon them, on condition that they would 
leave town. When the Marshal went to the jail to 
offer them this proposition, he found two of them en- 
tirely destitute of clothing. Some one had passed a 
deck of cards through the window, and one of the in- 
mates had won the entire wardrobe of the other two, 
in a friendly game of poker, and had insisted upon an 
immediate delivery of the goods. When this informa- 



136 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

tion was conveyed to the Mayor he promptly revoked 
the pardon. 

He recounted a romance in which the participants 
were a man and a woman, convicted on the same day, — 
he of disorderly conduct, she of vagrancy. Both were 
fined, and sentenced to stand committed until fine and 
costs were paid. Neither party having the necessary 
funds, the court was in a dilemma, as the jail was not 
provided with suitable accommodations for lady guests. 
The defendants relieved the situation and solved the 
quandary by offering to get married. A collection was 
accordingly taken up, a license procured, the Justice 
performed the ceremony gratis, and the honeymoon 
was celebrated in the old calaboose. 

Perhaps the saddest occurrence in the history of the 
old building was the fate of Jake Cowan. Jake had 
had trouble with a neighbor, Dave Williams, over a 
boundary fence ; hot words and threats had passed 
One morning Dave was found dead in the road a short 
distance from Jake's house, with a bullet in his brain. 
A post-mortem examination disclosed that the bullet 
had been fired from a 3S-calibre Colt's revolver. Such 
a weapon was found in Jake's possession, with one 
empty chamber. This circumstance, together with the 
known enmity existing between the two men, and Jake's 
inability to prove an alibi, resulted in his conviction. 
The jury returned its verdict at midnight, and Jake was 
led back to the jail to await sentence. On the following 
morning when the jailer unlocked the door he was con- 
fronted with the lifeless body of Jake, swinging from a 
rafter, his feet scarcely more than three inches from the 
floor. The jai-1 was furnished with sleeping-cots, the 




J^^ 



SCENE ON FARM OF H. BRENNAMIX, 



138 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 

bed of which, instead of the ordinary wire spring, or 
canvas, consisted of rope ; and of this rope the prisoner 
had secured a sufficient length to pass around his neck 
and attach to a rafter, after which he had kicked away 
the box on which he stood to adjust the noose, and was 
left suspended. 

Years afterward, another man, on his deathbed, con- 
fessed to having fired the shot that killed Dave Will- 
iams, and the circumstances and particulars which he 
related left no doubt of his guilt. His confession, how- 
ever, came too late to help poor Jake, except to clear 
hi$ memory from the ignominy of crime. 

In the rear of the modern building facing Main street 
still stands the old calaboose. The storms of many 
winters, the scorching suns of many summers, have 
left their marks upon it. Men have come and men 
have gone, but it still stands, mute reminder of the 
thrilling incidents of pioneer days. If those gray and 
weather-beaten walls could speak, what tales they 
might unfold of crime, of intrigue, of adventure, of 
suffering, of remorse, and of repentance. It is the one 
ancient landmark by which the bustling city of today 
is recognized as the grown-up village that marked this 
spot a quarter of a century ago ; the one link that con- 
nects the present with the all-but-forgotten past ; the 
"open sesame" that unlocks the door to memory's 
cavern and brings forth the rich treasures of early local 
history for the entertainment and information of the 
curious or reflective minds of this generation. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 




B. F. BISBEE. 

B. F. Bisbee, frequently called "The Big-bellied Wheat King 
of Meade County," was l)orn at Ann Arbor, Michigan, on June 
22nd, 1842. He was married at Mason City, 111., in January, 
1867, to Rebecca Grisson. To this union were born six children, 
to wit : Carrie, Grace, Leona, William I., antl Maud and Myrtie, 
the last two being twins. 

Mr. Bisbee came to Meade County in 1887, and has ever since 
been engaged in farming and stock-raising. 

Years ago he earned and carried the title of "Farmer Bisbee" 
because he was one of the very few men in Meade County who 
were making a success of farming at that time. 

He has been Trustee of his township, and is a member of the 

I. O. O. F. at Meade. 

1141] 



HIOGKAPHICAL. 143 



M. A. BIRD AND FAMILY. 

The accompanying;' i)icture shows a cozy home view of Mark 
Bird and his estimable family, Mrs. Bird, and the children, Abner 
C, Lorene, Lillian A., Harry C, and Gladys. 

Mr. Bird conducts a general merchandise store at Missler, and 
is also extensively engaged in hantUing horses and cattle. 



144 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




JOHN P. BALLARD AND WIFE. 

John P. Ballard was born in Logan County, Kentucky, August 
7th, 1878. He came to Meade County in August, to be exact, on 
August 21st, 1903, and made homestead entry in Cimarron town- 
ship. He was married to Anna L. Shinogle on April 19th, 1911. 
They have one child, Woodrow R. A. Ballard, born February 25th, 
1913. 

Mr. Ballard has been engaged in farming, doing a little real- 
estate business "on the side," and has prospered. 

He is a mem])er of the I. (). O. F. Lodge, has served his township 
as Trustee, and his political party as precinct Committeeman. 

Anna L. Shinogle was born in Meade County, Kansas, on Octo- 
ber 27th, 1890. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Shinogle. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



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JOHN CORDES AND FAMILY. 

John Cordcs was Ixirn at Cole Camp, Benton County, ^lissouri, 
on July 15th, 1867, of German parentage. He came to Meade 
County March Ist, 1885, and connnenced life as a young pioneer 
on the pioneer ]irairies. 

He was married Ajiril 16th, 1893, to Maggie Brunjes, a Meade 
County girl. To this union four children have been born — Alice 
M., Barthold H., Lola K., and Earnest J. E. 

Mr. Cordes has been engaged in the business of farming and 
stock-raising, and is one of the sul:)stantial, prosperous farmers of 
Odee Township. 

He has always taken a strong interest, and frequently an active 
part, in politics, and in 1912 was elected C'ounty Connnissioner for 
the Second District. 



146 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




UNCLE BEN. 

Benjamin F. Cox was born in what is now Platte County, Mo.^ 
but which was then unorganized Government land, on August 
19th, 1837. He came to Meade County on vSeptember 3rd, 1894, 
and remained until about 1908, since which time he has had no 
settled domicile, but has spent his time in whatever place happened 
to strike his fancy for the time being. He has been engaged in 
farming, stock-raising, banking, money-loaning, promoting, etc. 
At one time he owned one-third of the Fowler townsite. He was 
Vice-President of the first bank in Meade County, of the first 
bank in Fowler, and is now Vice-President of the Meade State 
Bank. He holds the first tax receipt issued in Meade County ; he 
drove the first railroad spike in Meade County; he discovered 
artesian water in Meade County ; and he wore out the first pair 
of boots made in Meade County, said boots being made by a cer- 
tain bootmaker, Schwartz, of Fowler. 



inoCRAPHICAL. 



147 




L. C. CASH. 

L. C. Cash was born near Nolin, Kentucky, May 28tli, 1861. 
He was married near East ^'iew, Ky., on Jan. 11th, 1883, to Katie 
Fife. The year foUowing he started west in response to Horace 
Greeley's famous advice, and settled in Sumner County in Novem- 
ber, 1884. In September, 1S8(), he moved farther west, out where 
the grass was a little shorter, the skies a little bluer, settling in 
Meade County on September 19th, 1900. 

Then for five or six years he worked as head clerk in Parson's 
big store at Plains, but feeling the need of more outdoor life he 
finally resigned, and engaged in farming for four years. He then 
built a modern hotel in Plains, and has l)een egnaged in the hotel 
business ever since. This hotel, which is one of the best arranged 
to be found anywhere, was designed entirely by Mr. Cash, and was 
for the most part built by him and his sons. It is of concrete 
blocks, the blocks having been manufactunMl l)y Mr. Cash in 
Plains. 

His family consists of three sons and one grandson. 



148 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY 




CHESTER DALGARN. 

J. Chester Dalgarn was burn in Meade, Kansas, July 6th, 1895, — 
strictly a Meade County product. He graduated from the Meade 
High School, after which he took a full post-graduate course. He 
has taught school, but the line of work he intends following, and 
for which he is fitting himself, is electrical engineering. 



HKXJh'Al'UK'AL. 



149 




DAMON AND PYTHIAS. 

The above engraving was made from a flashlight kotlak picture 
taken of Ferol »Stevens and John SuUivan, sons of their respective 
"dads." The young feUows decided to "sit up" until the "old 
fellows" returned from lodge, ]:)ut the old boys proved to be the 
"best stayers," and on their return home found the "untried 
neophytes" fast asleep in each other's arms. 



150 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 






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F. \\'. FICK. 



LonSK FICK. 



Ferdinantl W. Fit-k was boi'n at Hansfeklc, Prussia, March 7th, 
1856. At about seven years of age his parents came to America, 
and Fred's boyhood and youth were spent in St. Joseph, Mo. 
He was married at St. Joseph, Dec. 13th, 1878, to Louise Miller, 
she having l)een born in Loningen, Switz(n'lan(l, June 8th, 1858. 

Five children, four girls, one boy, are the r(»sult of this marriage. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fick came to IVIeade County March 1st, 1888, antl 
have l)een engaged in the mercantile ])usiness most of the tim(> 
since. 

Mr. P'ick has always taken a iirominent ])art in ])olitics ; was 
Mayor of M(>ade for two terms, aiul for two terms Clerk of the 
District ('ourt. 

He takes considerable interest in fraternal orders, being an active 
member of the Masonic order, l)oth the Blue Lodge and the Chap- 
ter of Royal Arch ALisons, of the L O. O. F.. and of the Knights 
of Pvthias. 



Biographical. 151 




CHET HULBURT. 

Chester S. Hulhurt was born at El Dorado, Butler County, 
Kansas, January 15th, 1875. He was married to Emma J. Sing- 
ley on November 30th, 1899, at Augusta, Kansas. Three children, 
Helen T., Helsey H. and Walter C, complete the family. 

He came to Meade County February 22nd, 1903. His principal 
business has been farming and stock-raising, but for a year or two 
he was engaged in the real-estate business. 

He is now, and has been for some time past, engaged in breed- 
ing registered Galloway cattle, and while others can show larger 
herds, it would be difficult to find a herd of "classier" cattle than 
those on Mr. Hulburt's farm. 

He takes a great interest in educational matters, and is at pres- 
ent a member of the Board of Education of the Meade city schools. 



]52 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




"billy" JOBLING. 



HIOdKAPHICAL. 153 



"BILLY" JOBLING. 

William Joblinji; was born at Zanesville, Ohio, .January 8th, 1864, 
He came to Meade County March 1st, 1879, and has been a con- 
tinuous resident of the county ever since. His father was presi- 
dent of a company that settled a colony of sixteen families at Pear- 
lette. Of all of that colony Mr. Jobling is the only one remaining; 
in Meade County, and it is probable that he is the oldest settler 
now in the county. He has always taken an active interest in 
politics, and while never soliciting political honors for himself, has 
frecjuently had such honors forced upon him. He has served his 
township as Clerk, Trustee, and Justice of the Peace ; he has been 
County Commissioner from the First District, and he has been 
Clerk of the School Board in his district for fifteen or more years. 

Fraternally he is quite prominent in the Masonic order. He is a 
member of Webb Lodge No. 275, A. F. & A. M., at Meade ; of 
Meade Chapter R. A. M. No. 243 ; R. S. M. No. 13, Hutchinson ; 
K. T. No. 25, Dodge City ; Consistory No. 2, Wichita ; and A. A. 
O. N. M. Shrine, Wichita. 



154 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




J. O. KEITH AND FAMILY. 

John 0. Keith was born January 8, 1863, in Perry County, IIU- 
nois. He came to Meade County in 1894, and on September 4th, 
1898, was married to Matie B. Hinsdale. To this union two 
chil(b-en have been born. Dot, the daughter, only surviving. 

Mr. Keith farmed and taught school until 1910, when he moved 
to Meade and engaged in the implement business, which he con- 
ducted for two years and then sold out. He has served as Clerk 
of the District Court, and is Clerk of the First Baptist Church. 

He is quite prominent in fraternal societies, being a Past Grand 
of the I. 0. O. F., and is at present Chief Patriarch of the Encamp- 
ment branch of the Odd Fellows order. 



HKXJHAI'HICAL. 



155 




H. H. KIECHNER. 

H. H. Kirchner was born at Worclen, Douglas County, Kansas, 
January 5th, 1879. He was married to Delia Layman at Arling- 
ton, Kansas, February 18th, 1903. 

He is not an old resident of Meade County, having purchased 
the Gardner ranch and settled here on April 10th, 1915, but his 
year's residence in this county has convinced him that he has at 
last found just what he has l)een looking for, and no inducement 
within the limit of human probability would temjit him to leave 
Meade County. 

He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and of the Chapter of 
Royal Arch ^Masons. 



156 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY, 




TOM MURPHY. 

Thomas L. Murph}', shown above in a characteristic pose, is 
one of the biggest-hearted, whole-souled, most congenial Irishmen 
that ever escaped from Cork, and how or wh>' they ever permitted 
Tom to escape is a mystery. 

He was born at Springfield, 111., August 29th, 1858. He re- 
moved to Kansas, and on January 30th, 1888, was married to 
Effa Cool, at Columbiis. They are now the parents of seven chil- 
dren. 

Tom came to Meade County on January 11th, 1904, being one 
among the old "new settlers." 

He is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is well satisfied 
and prosperous. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



157 




R. M. PAINTER. 

R. M. Painter was born in the State of Iowa, a long time ago. 
He came to Meade County in the fall of 1884, and filed on a home- 
stead, where he resided until 1915, when he left the farm, — or 
farms, it might be more accurate to state, as he owns something 
less than half a township, — and came to Meade, where he opened 
a law office. 

"Cap," as he is usually called, has had a varied career, at differ- 
ent times following different vocations. He has had experience 
in the law, newspaper work, the army, the legislature, and while 
he has never made i)olitics a l)usiness he has always been actively 
interested. 

He was the first Representative of Meade County, the first 
Post Commander of the local G. A. R., for several years President 
of the Southwestern Veterans' Association, and is now Depart- 
ment Commander of the G. A. R. of Kansas. 



158 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




J. S. PRICE. 



John Shelby Price was l)orn at Kenton, Ohio, April 4th, 1874. 
He came to Meade County in the spring of 1887. He was married 
to Susan Winnifred Bonham, August 19th, 1907. To this union 
two children were born, Frances Evlyn, now aged 6, and Shelby 
Winfred, aged 2. 

With the exception of four years during which time he was 
sheriff of Meade C'ounty, Mr. Price has been engaged in the live- 
stock business. 



HIOdlf.A IMIICA L. 



159 




MRS. J. S. PRICE. 

Susan Winnifrcd Bonhain was born in Hardin County, Ohio, 
April 27th, 1876. Sh(^ came to Meade County with lier parents 
in 1885, where she residcnl until her death, March Gth, 1914. 

She was elected Register of Deeds in 1900, and served two 
terms. 




PERRY BROS. 

Editors and Proprietors of The Fowler News and The Buek'in 

Banner. 



in () GRAPHICAL. 



161 




A. B. ROBERTS. 

Albert B. Rol^erts was born at Richmoiul, Indiana. H(^ was 
married at Lynn, Indiana, August 15th, 1880, to Lizzie S. Johnson, 
and eanu^ to Meade County November 6th, 1895. 

He has three children, Walter J., Adgar N., and Alice AI. 

He has l)een engaged in farming, and is now serving his second 
term as Countv Commissioner from the First District. 



162 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




BERT STOUT. 



Bert Stout was born at Logansport, Indiana, September 4th, 
1884. He came to Meade County in 1908, and settled in Mertilla 
Township, where he is engaged in farming. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



1()3 




(J. W. ROBERTS. 

G. W. Rol)erts was honi on February 23r(.l, ISoG, in Grant 
County, Wisconsin. He came to southwest Kansas in 1900, first 
locating in Pawnee County, coming to Meade County in the 
spring of 1913. He was married to Miss L. M. Hockett in Jan- 
uary, 1903, and is the father of six children. 

Mr. Roberts has been engaged in farming, and has the distinc- 
tion of never having experienced a failure of his wheat crop in 
southwest Kansas. His lowest average yield per acre for any year 
is 10 bushels, the highest being 33 l)ushels. 



164 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




J. I. STAMPER. 

J. I. Stamper (Col. Jim) was born at Sweetwater, Tenn., De- 
cember 22n(l, 1869. He came to Meade County in May, 1885. 
He was married at Meade, December 25th, 1900, to Lottie W. 
Snyder. They have one child, a daughter, Jamie, liorn in Meade. 

Jim has been rather versatile in his pursuits, having been at 
different times engaged in farming and stock-raising, well-drilling, 
has taken a flyer in the mercantile business, was postmaster at 
Meade under President Taft, but for several years last past he has 
devoted the greater part of his time to auctioneering, at which 
calling he has met with remarkable success. 

He is now President of the State Auctioneers' Association. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



165 




WILLIS WOLFE. 

Willis Wolfe was l)orn at Wheeling, Missouri, February 5th, 
1888. He was married at Wheeling, Mo., October 5th, 1910, to 
Lulu Mae Norman, and came to Meade County in March, 1911. 

Two boys, Leonard M. and Norman B., have come to brighten 
their Meade County home. 

Mr. Wolfe has been engaged principally in the cattle business, 
but as a side line he sells automobiles and Fords. 




THREE SCHUHMACHERS. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 1 ()" 



THREE SCHUHMACHERS. 

L. F. Schuhmacher was horn ScjitcMnhcr oth, 1S.S2, at ATcxico, 
Missouri. Lon early realizi'd the possibilities of Meade County, 
and emigrated here in 1886. He was married at Me ide Fel)ruary 
21st, 1907, to IMaude Stansill. 

Their three boys, L. F., Jr., Nelson R. and (lordon S., arc shown 
in the above pieture. 

Mr. Scluihnuieher has been en^a^ed in tlie real-estate business 
at Meade for the last ten vears. 



168 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




O. R. STEVENS. 



0. R. Stevens was l)orn in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, March 
22nd, 1879. He was married in Barber County, Kansas, Novem- 
ber 19th, 1902, to Miss Tressie Grigsby. A son, Ferol Clifford, was 
born at Coats, Kansas, August 16th, 1905. 

Mr. Stevens came to Meade County April 30th, 1906, and was 
engaged in the mercantile business at Meade until September, 

1914, when he removed to Wichita. 

Mr. Stevens is one of the prominent fraternalists of the State. 
He was Department Commander of Patriarchs Militant from 
January 1st, 1908, to January 1st, 1913, with the rank of Brig- 
adier-General, and is the present Grand Patriarch of the Grand 
Encampment of Kansas, being elected to that office October 12th, 

1915. He is also a member of the Judiciary Committee of the 
Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Kansas. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



169 




V. A. UNDERWOOD. 

Chas. A. Underwood was born in Logan Co., (^hio, March 19th, 
1860. He came to Meade County in 1905, where he took a home- 
stead and engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed 
ever since. 

He was married at Meade on April 18th, 1907, to Margaret K. 
Nichols. 

He is a member of the I. (J. 0. F., the Knights of the Golden 
Eagle, and was formerly a member of Co. E, Ohio National Guard. 



170 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




MPS. ('. A. IINDERWOOD. 

Margaret K. Nichols was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1866. 
She was appointed postmistress of New Jerusalem, Ohio, by Pres- 
ident Cleveland, which office she conducted for eleven years. She 
also conducted a grocery store at that place. 

On April 18, 1907, in Meade, Kansas, she became the wife of 
Charles A. Underwood. 



iu()(;h.aphical. 



171 





MUKTUN WILSON. 



MRS. MORTON WILSON. 



Morton Wilson was Inn-n in Appanoose County, Iowa, Feb- 
ruary 3rd, 1865. He was niafried in Meade County ( )ct()l)er 30tii, 
1892, to Jennie C. Heap(\ 

Mrs. Wilson came to Meade County in March, ISSo, Mf. \\'il- 
son coming in May of the same year. 

They were engaged in farming and stock-raising until IDl."), wlien 
they retired and moved to Meade. 

They have two daughters, Ethel and Marie, both at home. 



172 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




M. M. WAY. 

Marion M. Way was born in McPherson County, Kansas, Jan 
27th, 1876. He came to Meade County March 12th, 1900, and 
was married October 16th, 1901, to Rosetta F. Bunyan. He has 
one child, a boy nine years of age. 

Mr. Way has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He 
has served his township and school district in various offices. 

He is a member of the Masonic order. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



173 




D. P. WYS(3NG. 

D. P. Wysonia; was born at Lynvillo, Franklin County, A'a., 
January Kith, 1851. He was married at Stewartsville, Bedford 
County, Va., April (Jtli, 187(), to Dora Stewart. Two sons wcn-e 
born, James T. and Ansel S. 

He came to Meade County March 25th, 1885, and, like many 
of the other early settlers, has been engaged in several different 
lines of work, among which are teaching, contracting, farming, 
and the ])ractice of law. 

Mr. Wysong has served his county as County Sui)erintendent, 
County ('lerk, and County Attorney. 

The above picture shows him with his grandson, Stewart, son 
of Ansel S. "W^'song. 



174 HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 




R. E. STEELE. 



HIOCiUArHU'AL. 



H. E. STEP]LE. 

R. E. Steele was born in 1851), ami reared in l^rinct' William 
County, A'a. In 1874 he came west, locating in Douglas County, 
Kansas. In 1878 he removed to Barber County, and came to 
Meade County in 1892. 

He was married in Meade County to Miss Jennie W. Mills. 
Two children were born, both girls, and both of whom are married, 
one to Mr. Eustace Smith, a prominent young lawyer of Hutch- 
inson, and one to Mr. E. W. McNaghten, also of Hutchinson. 

Mrs. Steele died in 19U7, and afterwards Mr. Steele was united 
in marriage with Miss Curtis Harsha, of Pittsl)urgh, Pa. 

Mr. Steele has been engaged in the cattle business practically 
all of his life, and has probably handled more cattle than any other 
Meade County citizen. The names, Steele & Cockins, Cockins & 
Steele, The Meade Land & Cattle Co., the Crooked L Ranch, are 
familiar to everyone. While Mr. Steele has .been interested in 
many ranch propositi 3ns, the Crooked L, located about three 
miles south of Meade, is his best-known venture. This ranch, 
while not extensive in acreage, is one of the best little ranches in 
the State. Here is to be found several hundred acres of alfalfa 
under a good system of irrigation, and here is produced the feed 
that fattens several thousand of the Crooked L brand yearly. 



Hl()(;i{ A I'lIlCAL. 177 



FRANK SOURBEER AND FAMILY. 

Franklin Sourhcor was Ijorn in Lancaster County, Pa., Nov. 
19th, 1838. He was married to Annie M. Kessler at Harrisinirjj;, 
Pa. IMr. Sourl)eer is one of the earliest settlers, locating in Meade 
County June 30th, 1879. His principal business was farming, 
up until a few years ago, when he retired and moved to Meade. 
For six years he has been one of the magistrates of Meade Center 
Township. 

Mr. Sourbeer enlisted in June, 1861, in Co. 1) of the First 
Pennsylvania Volunteer Reserve Corps. He was wounded at the 
second battle of Bull R n, August 29th, 1862. In 1863 he was 
made Captain of Co. H, Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia. 
He served as Second Sergeant in Co. K, Two Hundred Third 
Pennsylvania ^"okmteer Infantry. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 170 



THE MEADE CHECKER CLUB. 

The Meade Checker Chib, which claims to he invincible and is 
always ready to prove its claims, is composed of the following 
business men : from left to right, top row, E. W. Fletcher, Dr. T. 
E. Henry, Dick Collins, C. M. Gates, Jay Ellis, John Wood; 
bottom row, Isaac Covalt, N. M. Ellis, Harry Hoon, E. W. Bocook. 




DON T. EDWARDS, THE PIONEER LAND MAN. 



HKXiKA I'llK'A I,. 



IS! 




A. JACK BYRNS. 



182 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY 




A. .1. i'.\i)i:N. 



H I ( ) ( i H A P 1 1 1 ( ' A L 



1S3 




H. KLLTS. 



184 



HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY. 



THE AUTHOR S BEST PRODIXTIONS. 




MADGE. KATHLEEN. LENORE. JOHN P 





THE MISSUS. 



ME. 



